ATHENS, Ohio -- Once a year the Ohio University Classified Senate opens its membership to non-bargaining classified employees. This year, due to terms ending, the senate has 12 seats and three alternate positions to fill. The senate is made up of 25 members who serve three-year terms and three alternates who serve one-year terms. All terms begin on July 1.

The Classified Senate was created in 1989 for ongoing discussion, information exchange, and consultation on matters concerning non-bargaining classified employees. Serving on the senate is a very rewarding experience. Janice Roche, a member and former chair said, "Since joining the senate I've had many opportunities to learn about what the university does, the difference between capital appropriations and the operation subsidy and the real cost of all of our benefits. Additionally, I would never have had opportunities to serve on university committees that help shape its mission and goals without senate membership."

Senate members sit on many university committees: Parking and Violations, Library, Benefits Advisory, Cultural Activities, Ecology and Energy Conservation, Intercollegiate Athletics, Kennedy Lecture Series, Scholarship and Financial Aid, and University Roundtables

Christina Delesandry said that she applied to become a Classified Senate member because she wanted to contribute service to the university -- she saw membership as a way to give back a little of the good she had been receiving. "Over the years I have come to realize how important having a voice is and how much the senate has accomplished for the classified staff," she said.

To apply for or nominate someone for senate membership, contact Alexis Cline by telephone at 593-2579 or e-mail at cline@ohio.edu. The application form can also be found on the Classified Senate's web page at www.ohiou.edu/csen/app_nom.htm. The deadline for application is Friday, March 30.