We, the executive candidates of the True Blue Student Coalition, would like to offer an alternative perspective to the “slate system,” described by Rachel Adams as “the heart of political division,” (“Avoid ASUO election drama and make an educated vote,” ODE, March 16). We agree that slate politics have been ridden with partisanship and pettiness, but we are committed to bringing a different tone to this year’s ASUO elections.
Let’s face it: Campaigning is expensive. For many students, getting together the materials to run for office can be a daunting task. We have committed to a self-imposed spending cap of $2,009 for the 21 candidates running with the Coalition. It’s important to keep campaigning costs down for individual students and decrease the influence of money in the campaigning process. We are continuing to grow our coalition that shifts the debate from the trivial to the insightful and will work to “make student government matter.”
The problem with ASUO elections isn’t slates, but rather the excessive focus on short-term political gains instead of the improvement of the college experience for University students. We’re not going to make a better student government if ASUO campaigns are about who can raise the most money or best tailor to specific voting blocks.
The True Blue Student Coalition believes we can make student government matter by addressing the issues that impact the college experience instead of petty differences. We urge students to look at each candidate to decide which person they believe will best deliver the results students at the University deserve.
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