Baldwin Wallace University’s Student Senate has been making progress toward its goals throughout the academic year, focusing on increasing student participation and improving accessibility across campus.

“One of the major things for me was to get many students enrolled in Senate,” says Samela Ahmed, Student Senate president and third-year nursing student. Recruitment strategies include campus events and peer outreach. These efforts, Ahmed hopes, will result in an increase in student involvement in its meetings and initiatives, such as in the gallery, which is open to students during meetings.

Above all else, accessibility has remained a key concern for the Student Senate over the past few semesters.

“Our top priority, I would say for over a year actually, has been accessibility issues on campus,” Ahmed said. The Senate has been collaborating with the City of Berea to potentially fix sidewalks and increase efforts for accessibility. The Senate is working alongside campus departments to identify hurdles related to student mobility.

Administrative leaders have emphasized the significance of the Senate’s role in representing the student body’s needs.

“The role of student senators is really to listen to their constituents.” Says Lena Crain, vice president for student experience and dean of students. Without the input from the student body, the senate doesn’t get a clear idea of what their initiatives should be. Feedback helps to guide the Senate’s priorities and policy direction.

The Senate has been working towards getting more students involved, whether that be through a position in the Senate or the student government, or simply encouraging students to reach out and take advantage of the rights they have. The importance of student involvement extends to campus elections and leadership selections.

“Students should take their power of a vote, and they should take who they put forward into these roles seriously,” Crain said.

The Student Senate’s actions throughout the year thus far have highlighted its impact on campus development. Whether that be through prioritizing accessibility for all or encouraging students to get involved, the Senate has contributed to a more inclusive and responsive campus community. Its continued efforts prompt a lasting impact of active participation and the importance of sustaining a powerful, representative student voice.