Over the course of the next couple of weeks, students at the University will become acquainted with the multitude of people running for ASUO elected office – for Student Senate, PFC, Executive, EMU Board, Student Recreation Center Advisory Board, Athletic Department Finance Committee and the Associated Students Presidential Advisory Council. It is a lot to wrap one’s mind around.
You’ll see them by the EMU, handing out of fliers; you’ll see their pictures in the Oregon Daily Emerald; you’ll read their campaign promises. You’ll probably see too much of them.
But unlike in past years, every single race is contested. These candidates might have to actually work for students’ votes, as they formulate their platforms and print their multi-colored campaign shirts. They have to actually think about how to appeal to the student body.
There are seven executive tickets running this year, compared to last year’s five. Overall, there are 55 candidates running this year, compared with 40 candidates last year. This includes the less prominent positions, including Associated Students Presidential Advisory Council and the Student Recreation Center Advisory Board.
Most of the candidates share similar goals – holding the ASUO accountable, reaching out to all students, and making education affordable are the most common platform planks – but it is a positive sign that so many students want to get involved in campus politics.
It’s also good for voters. In the past, Student Senate seats have gone unfilled or candidates have run unopposed. This year, students who decide to vote will have more choices, and that is always a positive in politics.
The high number of candidates this year may indicate that more students want to get involved on campus. It may indicate that more students want an extra line on their resume. Or it may indicate that more students want to change the ASUO, and they feel as if they can enact this change. Regardless, having a large number of candidates ensures that University students will have a diverse pool of candidates. Some of them are ASUO insiders, some of them are ASUO neophytes; some of them are long-time members of student groups, some of them are not.
The ASUO election is usually full of forgone conclusions – the most popular candidates among ASUO-funded programs inevitably won. And that may again be the case this year. But it appears as if most of the candidates are on equal footing and at least have an opportunity to enumerate their opinions and possibly bring new ideas to the ASUO.
University students who decide to vote will have to wade through a high number of candidates, but this is better than not having choices. This year we have choice – in spades.