University admin answer phase two questions during virtual town hall Ohio University administrators addressed questions regarding phase two of Ohio U’s phased return to campus at a virtual student town hall Thursday. Phase two is scheduled to start Sept. 28, with students moving into residence halls beginning next week. Ken Johnson, the chief medical affairs officer, spoke on the measures the university is taking to ensure health and safety on … Read More
New COVID-19 restrictions announced at student affairs forum Ohio University officials hosted a virtual forum Wednesday evening to answer questions regarding the university’s fall semester adaptations to the coronavirus pandemic. The forum provided students with a chance to submit questions either prior to the meeting or during it to be answered by Jason Pina, the vice president of student affairs, and Janie Peterson, the interim president for Student … Read More
Satisfactory/no credit option to be made available to students, Student Senate confirms Students will be able to change their spring semester courses to satisfactory/no credit because of Ohio University’s move to online learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Student Senate President Lydia Ramlo confirmed at the body’s first online meeting Wednesday. The current plan would make grades “A” through “D-“ count as satisfactory and “F” count as no credit, Ramlo said during a … Read More
Ongoing budget problems grip debate at Student Senate During Wednesday’s Student Senate meeting, the biggest topic of the night was something that has long held student attention on campus: Ohio University’s ineffectual budget, and what will be done about it. The meeting started with a presentation by Deb Shaffer, the university’s senior vice president for finance and administration, that aimed to answer Student Senate’s questions about the university’s … Read More
VP of diversity and inclusion proposes workout space for those seeking more privacy Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story alluded the new workout space at Ping Recreational Center would be exclusive to minorities. This is not true. It has been updated to reflect that the space will be open to all students seeking more privacy. Other reports referencing this post without this distinction are therefore misleading and false. We apologize to … Read More
Letter to the Editor: Ohio U admin, rescind freedom of expression policy or resign This Letter to the Editor was sent anonymously to The New Political. A Letter to the Ohio University Administration, Y{OU} CAN’T SILENCE DISSENT. We believe that freedom of expression includes spontaneous political protest and expression of dissent. We believe that the use of campus space should be a fundamental right for students; student tuition funds the construction and operation of … Read More
Ohio U responds to swastikas spray painted on campus Swastikas were spray painted inside Glidden Hall and on Jefferson Hill last Friday, the first day of Yom Kippur. Here’s how the Ohio U community reacted. Swastikas were found spray painted onto the inside of Glidden Hall and on Jefferson Hill early Friday morning, with Ohio University’s administration quickly condemning these symbols later that day. “We stand in solidarity … Read More
Campus Conversation discusses listening as effective response to controversy In light of recent events, both on campus and across the country, the latest Campus Conversation discussed how students can respond to opposition, both in words and actions. Shai Pina, who’s married to Vice President of Student Affairs Jason Pina, and John Schmieding, the director of the Athens Area Mediation Service, led the discussion. Pina said her goal for … Read More
Emotions flow at Student Senate meeting following presidential election The result of Tuesday’s presidential election was paramount to Student Senate’s Wednesday evening discussion, starting with students who spoke out about Donald Trump’s historical upset. Environmental Affairs Commissioner Sarah Pinter spoke first. “We need to understand some of your friends, classmates and constituents are genuinely terrified about what comes next for them,” Pinter said. “I only can ask that you … Read More
Student Senate unanimously passes four resolutions in first meeting of fall semester The Wednesday evening Student Senate meeting was the first of the semester, but it began just like any other — with roll call. Not everything was the same, though. It was the first of any Student Senate meeting to be live streamed on the Senate’s YouTube page. Student Senate President Hannah Clouser said the live stream format would allow for … Read More
Second and final candidate for VP of student affairs makes his case Jason Pina, the second and final candidate for vice president of student affairs, made his case for the position to a nearly full conference room Wednesday morning at the Living Learning Center. Pina is currently the Vice President for Student Affairs at Bridgewater State University and received his doctorate from Johnson & Wales University. In an open forum, Pina was … Read More
Candidates for open Ohio University vice president position begin visiting campus Candidates for the role of vice president of student affairs will begin visiting campus Wednesday to meet with administrators and hold open forums with students and faculty. According to a story from Compass, each candidate will “have an opportunity to present to the University community during open forums in the Living Learning Center.” These presentations are open to all members … Read More
