At their annual State of the Students Address, Associated Students of Oregon State University President Audrey Schlotter announced that during week 10 of this year’s fall term, the Valley Library Java II area, not including the cafe, will remain open for 24 hour access.
Schlotter also announced that at-home sexual health testing will arrive to OSU students in January.
“We believe in meeting students where they are,” Schlotter said.
The ASOSU held their annual State of the Students Address to mark the halfway point in the current administration in place of the typical Senate meeting on Tuesday.
The event marks the six-month halfway point in the current administration’s tenure, highlighting the initiatives championed and accomplished during this past year, as well as remarking on the initiatives which are ongoing and hope to be achieved by year’s end.
The State of the Students Address took place in the midst of the election night. Naturally, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of slight tension between feelings of angst and hope.
Angst towards the looming implications of Tuesday night for America, but still holding on to the feelings of pleasantry in regard to the accomplishments of the student body at Oregon State University.
As the night went on, the individual heads of the respective branches of student government took turns presenting their speeches and congratulating those in attendance.
Madison Jones, the Judicial Council Chair, congratulated the continuing transparency and hard work being done at the student judiciary, saying, “I am happy and proud this judicial council has done an outstanding job in addressing and prioritizing everyone’s needs.”
Student Fee Committee Chair Sophia Nowers took to the stand following Jones, and remarked on the tension in the atmosphere regarding the election, saying, “It’s a big night,” and jokingly reminded individuals to please turn off their phones, “we’re all going to find out later.”
Nowers humbly remarked on her experience as head of the SFC, talking about her time learning the ins and outs of managing a $35 million dollar budget, “The power of the ASOSU is built on trust. It’s built on the relationships we build, our communication with each other, and our willingness to listen, learn, respect, and understand,” Nowers said.
ASOSU Vice President Zachary Kowash recognized the shoulders he stands on, “I’m especially grateful to the students who lead the vision that Audrey (Schlotter, ASOSU President) and I put forward, a vision we are working tirelessly to turn into your reality,” Kowash said.
Kowash then sang the praises of the student Senate, highlighting their role in the student government process, as well as their being the link between the students and their student government, closing his portion of the night in ringing his encouragement for students to vote.
ASOSU President Audrey Schlotter closed the night, bringing home key moments throughout her administration’s tenure thus far, highlighting the playful cooperation and competition with University of Oregon’s student government in getting students to register to vote, recognizing the loss of the Oregon Student Association, and praising the ongoing efforts to bring greater student health initiatives to campus.
However, Schlotter gave some concern for the future, addressing the issue of Salem’s inability to meet the demands of necessary funds towards higher education and encouraging students to join her in January to advocate for “the future of Oregon.”
The ASOSU Senate will resume its usual Tuesday sessions next week.
