Hi, my name is Sean O’Melia. I’m a sophomore on the Campus Affairs Committee of the Student Senate. Since last school year, the Campus Affairs Committee has been working to develop a stronger relationship with the Disabilities Support Resource office on campus. This office works to accommodate our faculty, staff and students who have disabilities. These individuals experience challenges on campus that many of us might not even realize.

For example, if you thought last winter was bad, can you imagine trying to get around our snowy campus in a wheelchair? Or if you struggle to focus during your 3-hour lectures, imagine the challenges a disability might add. I’m not discrediting the fact that some things are tough for everyone, like bad winters or those long classes, but we seem to not notice other people’s problems. 

This is a problem that I think needs to be solved, which is why I’ve been working to give students with disabilities a greater chance to speak on any problems they may be facing. By attending regular meetings of the Disability Advocates of Grand Valley, organization members can express any concerns they see on campus, and I’ll try my best to address them or bring them to the right person’s attention.

Fortunately, Grand Valley works to alleviate many of the challenges our faculty, staff and students face due to disability. When it comes to traveling around campus in winter, those who need assistance can utilize DSR’s Van Service by submitting an application online. Also, for those long classes that some students may have a hard time focusing on because of their disability, they can try to get a note taker for class, so they can get the best notes possible and be able to prepare themselves for tests properly.

If there isn’t a service provided for a problem you are facing, let me know! Hearing from the people who need these services the most will help me to work toward accomplishing the right goals. Without your feedback, we won’t know which areas need the most attention. 

Ensuring that members of our community with disabilities are accommodated should be everyone’s goal at Grand Valley! Please share your thoughts and suggests with me at
[email protected]. With greater feedback, I’m sure that the Disabilities Support Resources office, Student Senate and myself can work together to help those who have disabilities and make Grand Valley an institution that truly meets the needs of all its faculty, staff, and students.

By Student Senate

Grand Valley State University’s Student Senate works to ensure that the student’s voice is continually heard by the university. Please feel free to contact the Student Senate:

Office: 0040 Kirkhof Center

Telephone number: 616-331-2333

Email: [email protected]

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http://www.gvsu.edu/studentsenate/

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