Barrett Volkman
Age: 21
Majors: Political science and business administration
Hometown: Troy, Montana
Year: Junior
Emerald: Would you give me a summary of your platform?
Volkman: My platform is basically is on the EMU Board I want to ensure groups are efficient and effective and seeking to create their own funding and reward programs that do that, like the Outdoor Programs created the Rental Board and that brings in a lot of revenue to them and therefore lowers the incidental fee. I want to reward groups that bring in money for themselves and be creative in bringing in revenue and try to get more groups to do that so it would lower the incidental fee but still maintain programming, keeping from taking dollars from students pockets for incidental fees. On the Senate whole I would use the money to be spent on the students best interests and try to cut back on some things I don’t think are quite necessary and put that money to other things that are more beneficiary to the student body as a whole.
Emerald: And what qualifies you for this position?
Volkman: Well, I’m on the Senate right now, currently serving on Seat 16 for social science majors. I was appointed by Adam and Mena to fill a vacant seat. I feel like I’ve adapted, I came in pretty late after the whole controversy with the Commentator and so I came in right after that and it was kind of a hotbed and I adapted pretty well to the Senate and figured out who to get my source of information from. I’m also level minded and able to listen to all sides of an issue. I believe in maintaining viewpoint neutrality. I have a lot of connections to a lot of groups on campus and feel I can get good input from various groups and organizations on campus and what they want.
Emerald: And why do you want this job?
Volkman: Basically three reasons. I want to give back to the University community and see that things are running efficiently. I guess that’s two separate reasons. Also I enjoy it. I like knowing what’s going on on campus and be involved and I just think I want to make sure things are running smoothly.
Emerald: In light of the ASUO retreat in Sunriver this last year, what is the best way to ensure accountability from student leaders next year?
Volkman: On the retreat or in general?
Emerald: In general but in light of Sunriver and what happened there.
Volkman: I wasn’t around for Sunriver even though I’m in the Senate now. What I understand is the students, some went to bed and some went to drink and they were drinking on the students’ dime but that’s what I know about it. I feel it’s not responsible. If you want responsibility you have to get the right people. Accountability is just something people are supposed to do, like I wouldn’t go and drink on the students’ dime. I’ve been on several retreats and they aren’t really retreats. Retreats no longer have a positive connotation for me anymore, they’re just work. For general accountability, I think you need a sense of community within the Senate, and looking out for each other and kind of watching each others back and holding each other accountable. I think that’s where you’re going to get the most accountability, internally among peers and also watchdog groups, but I would like to see the accountability happen before it reaches that point.