Khanh Le, a sophomore political science and ethnic studies major, is running for Programs Finance Senator, Seat 2.
 
Emerald: Quickly summarize your priorities.
Le: I just kind of feel like it’s important to represent different programs in (the ASUO Programs Finance Committee). By having experience in programs (and residence halls) will allow me to see where the program is coming from and how they feel and when issues arise. Compared to other people who’ve never been involved with a program, even people on PFC don’t even go to an event and don’t understand what you are doing, it kind of makes it difficult. My campaign is coming from a program’s perspective. Just having two points of view and seeing this is where they’re coming from.
Emerald: What’s your fiscal philosophy in regard to the incidental fee?
Le: For me, not just incidental fees, but money-wise, nowadays tuition is increasing. Understand that when the tuition increases it costs the students a lot of money in general. I want to at least enhance the programming and retain all of the programs and services that the University has … but at the same time make sure that we don’t make students pay so much that it’ll cost so much that it’ll make it harder for students to go to school. Because right now (I think incidental fees per term are) about $500 and tuition is increasing 12 percent next year.
Emerald: Where do you stand on spending money for off-campus purposes, such as the United States Student Association, the Oregon Student Association and OSPIRG?
Le: For me, personally, according to the (Southworth case) it’s legal as long as their mission is similar to the University’s mission. For me, as a PFC member, I have to be objective and say, ‘Well, it’s similar to the University and benefits students,’ so I have to be objective in terms of determining whether they get money or not.
Emerald: How will you work to ensure a viewpoint-neutral PFC process?
Le: I think the biggest thing is looking at the budget. If they didn’t spend something, the PFC which can determine that we can’t give them extra money, we can at least reduce some money, but at the same time help students to spend money. But pretty much focus on the number and the accurate account, how much did they spend money or not.
Emerald: What’s your favorite reality television show, and how does it relate to your campaign?
Le: I would say, I think “Survivor” is one of those, not just “Survivor,” one of those like … drama shows, because in the student government, you’re trying to survive — the commitment — but at the same time the academics, but there’s so much drama at the same time. That’s why I help the students, to make sure that student government runs more smoothly compared to nowadays.

— Jared Paben