At the Friday, September 14 Student Government (SG)Senate meeting, representatives presented proposals to approve two new Major Student Organizations, the On-Campus Apartment Student Association (OCASA) and the Association for Commuter Engagement (ACE).

Formally known as the Off-Campus and Apartment Student Association, OCASA used to encapsulate both on and off campus students. Following issues with town coding laws last fall, SG revised its bylaws to split the group to better serve its two distinct constituencies.

The reformed OCASA will represent continuing students second year and above who live in on-campus housing or housing owned by RIT. They plan on giving students access to services and information as well as plan events and programs for the community. The groups will also work with the Center for Residence Life on policy changes. They will have two offices, one in Riverknoll (RKA, 20) and another in Colony Manor (CMA, 97), so students on both sides of campus can have easy access to OCASA.

ACE will represent commuting students — defined as those who live on non-RIT properties, and do not live within walking distance of campus. They plan to compile lists of off-campus housing options and costs, local landlords, management companies, tenant rights and local housing ordinances. If approved, it will also provide on-campus resources, tenant right advice and interpreters to help deaf or hard-of-hearing students talk to landlords.

In addition to an eBoard, the group will be governed by a “commuter council” composed of 10-15 students who represent various different areas and suburbs where RIT students live. ACE will have bi-weekly meetings and will work on a consensus model, though the latter is subject to change. The ACE office will be in the SAU.

The proposals for both groups will be voted on at the Friday, September 21 SG Senate meeting.