With ASUO primary elections right around the corner, the Executive race is in full stride, and the heat is on.
Election intensity rose to higher levels at Thursday night’s moderated candidates debate where five of the six candidates discussed issues ranging from diversity, ASUO student involvement and housing to student incidental fees.
The two-hour debate was moderated by four representatives from the Emerald and ASUO, who asked candidates specific questions and gave the others a chance to respond to their opponents. The floor was then opened to the 50-member audience for additional questions and concerns.
In regard to the issue of diversity on campus, most candidates agreed that the current program needs improvement, although each team offered different approaches.
Candidates Nilda Brooklyn and Joy Nair suggested implementing diversity on a state level and holding the administration more accountable for organizing cultural programs instead of depending on student groups.
“For example, it’s ridiculous that we ask the Black Student Union to put on all the events that have to do with African-Americans,” Brooklyn said. “The administration should also be responsible for some of these programs.”
Candidate Eric Qualheim said that the administration is already making efforts to increase diversity through scholarships and student unions, and that progress will be made eventually.
“We see diversity as something organic, not mechanical,” he said. “We can’t force diversity to happen, but we’re on the right path.”
Candidates Bret Jacobson and Matt Cook said that because they are ASUO outsiders, they have made an extra effort to talk to student groups and learn about the issues each group has. One of their biggest goals is to set up a PR media hub to help student groups become more visible to campus.
“After talking to some groups, we learned that they didn’t really feel like they were getting their message out,” Jacobson said.
Issues surrounding housing also sparked debate.
Candidate Eric Bailey stressed the importance of a housing code, which would create higher standards for houses in the West University neighborhood. He added that he wants all students to be involved in this process.
“It’s not just about getting a housing code, but about having a student voice and making sure everyone is represented in the process,” he said.
But Jacobson argued that a housing code has disadvantages, such as driving up rent, and that other housing options such as Ducks Village are already available for students who don’t want to live in run-down houses or residence halls.
Some candidates also touched on their opinions about the current student incidental fee budget process.
Brooklyn said this year many student groups were confused about the process and stronger communication is needed between them and the Programs Finance Committee.
“I felt like people were going into the budget hearings not knowing what to expect,” she said. “This created a lot of miscommunication and tension.”
Qualheim said that even when groups make mistakes because of lack of information, their budgets should be re-evaluated, not vetoed.
Bailey, however, said that he thought the process worked well and that student groups learned more about the process as they went through it.
Candidate Sho Ikeda took a light-hearted stance on the issues, answering some questions through a sock puppet named “Mr. Billy” and an animal-shaped balloon he called “Lucky.” Some of Ikeda’s answers reflected one of his campaign themes.
“We need more hot chicks,” he said. “That would be good.”
ASUO primaries will be held Monday through Thursday next week.