Ashland University Student Senate held their weekly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 19  

The Department of Academic Affairs announced that the winter commencement ceremony is planned to be held the day after the completion of first semester exams.  

Seniors are now able to nominate staff members for faculty awards. Information can be found in your AU email. 

The finance and facilities department discussed efforts by the university to greenlight procedures that are meant to benefit students. These include adding more athletic majors, such as sports science, and focusing on student retention rates. Retention rates are at 73 percent, up only one percent from last year. 

Elections for Student Senate voting closed on Sept. 19 at midnight. The swearing-in of senators will happen during the Sept. 26 meeting. 

AU Student Senate president Zachary Scher took time out of the meeting to address and thank the members of Kappa Sigma for their efforts in returning a missing teenage girl to safety last week. 

At the Sept. 26 meeting, senate members will vote to pass Resolution 091223, which is meant to amend the Student Senate constitution to amend the offices of veteran and military-connected students. This amending of the constitution will make the wording more inclusive to better fill this office position. This position will be available to students who are veterans or current members of the armed forces. 

It was announced that the new café located in the library that is set to open in October has chosen Goldberry Coffee as their supplier.  

During the general concerns portion of the meeting, it was announced that the athletic department student representatives are aiming to create a student section at football games, along with having weekly themes.  

There was an emphasis on the availability of online classes throughout the meeting, with concerns being raised by multiple members. Members are concerned that the potential removal of online classes next semester, as addressed by the academic affairs department, will alter students’ ability to meet major requirements.  

Students interested in attending Student Senate meetings should report to the ABCD conference rooms located on the second floor of the Hawkins-Conard Student Center on Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m.