Spring Break
Student leaders discuss effects of Senate Bill
SB-03, which was passed in November still hasn't been signed by ASOSU's president
Shanna Woodruff
Issue date: 2/4/09 Section: News
A controversial bill regarding a process that dealt with discriminatory firing of ASOSU employees was passed in November 2008 and is now on the table for discussion once again.
Known as Senate Bill 03, the bill was voted into effect, only awaiting the signature of the ASOSU president so the policy could be put into action for winter term. It has since been determined that the bill was not signed due to the fact that there are university policies that conflict with the bill.
"Upon the passage of ASOSU Senate Bill 03 late last term, I was contacted by several legal professionals asking for clarification of the bill as it intends to alter dismissal process of student employees," said Ryan Mann, ASOSU president and a senior in political science.
"The reason that this could be an issue is because ASOSU has been deemed an entity within OSU; therefore, we are essentially state employees."
The senate held a meeting last night in MU 109 to address current issues and events, which include the concerns with SB-03.
Larry Roper, the vice provost for student affairs, and Angelo Gomez, the director for the office of affirmative action, presented the information regarding the bill status and the current university policies that render the bill unnecessary.
"All students employed at the university have the same rights," Roper said. ASOSU employees are still considered as student employees and therefore fall under the same policies as the rest of the university.
Through the offices of affirmative action and equal opportunity, as well as the office of human resources, students can take their complaints about possible discriminatory or unfair dismissals.
"Everybody has a protected status," Gomez said. "If someone feels their protected status was threatened, then we have to investigate and work to try to correct the situation."
In addition, the bill conflicts with university policies if signed, as it would take away the purpose of the university policy. "It's sort of depriving the supervisor of their ability to supervise," Gomez said.
Known as Senate Bill 03, the bill was voted into effect, only awaiting the signature of the ASOSU president so the policy could be put into action for winter term. It has since been determined that the bill was not signed due to the fact that there are university policies that conflict with the bill.
"Upon the passage of ASOSU Senate Bill 03 late last term, I was contacted by several legal professionals asking for clarification of the bill as it intends to alter dismissal process of student employees," said Ryan Mann, ASOSU president and a senior in political science.
"The reason that this could be an issue is because ASOSU has been deemed an entity within OSU; therefore, we are essentially state employees."
The senate held a meeting last night in MU 109 to address current issues and events, which include the concerns with SB-03.
Larry Roper, the vice provost for student affairs, and Angelo Gomez, the director for the office of affirmative action, presented the information regarding the bill status and the current university policies that render the bill unnecessary.
"All students employed at the university have the same rights," Roper said. ASOSU employees are still considered as student employees and therefore fall under the same policies as the rest of the university.
Through the offices of affirmative action and equal opportunity, as well as the office of human resources, students can take their complaints about possible discriminatory or unfair dismissals.
"Everybody has a protected status," Gomez said. "If someone feels their protected status was threatened, then we have to investigate and work to try to correct the situation."
In addition, the bill conflicts with university policies if signed, as it would take away the purpose of the university policy. "It's sort of depriving the supervisor of their ability to supervise," Gomez said.
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