Eden Cortez, a sophomore computer science major, is running unopposed for ASUO Programs Finance Senator, Seat 1.
 
Emerald: Quickly summarize your priorities.
Cortez: If I was elected — I actually don’t have priorities at this point. Basically, I’m just trying to represent every student who is at the University. I’m trying to represent students of color, students who are active, every aspect of students. So I’m just trying to look out for them and their best interests, trying to allocate for their incidental fees so it can benefit them at a cultural aspect, or physical or educational, any way there is.
Emerald: What is your fiscal philosophy in regard to the incidental fee?
Cortez: I believe that to a point that we are going to spend some student funds, but it depends where we spend it, where the student fund goes to. Like I said, if it goes to benefit the students, I’m for that. If it’s funding that’s not going to benefit the students in any aspect, I’m not going to do something like that.
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?
Cortez: I support them. Like I said, as long as they’re doing something productive with that money, with that budget that we’ve given them. As long as there are benefits in every aspect of the community, the U of O community. I don’t have anything against them. I’m really flexible with that as long as they show me what they want, where the money is going that we’re giving them, and if it’s going to be something productive, then I have nothing against supporting those types of groups.
Emerald: How will you work to ensure a viewpoint-neutral PFC process?
Cortez: Well, I’m being as neutral as I could, even though I actually have — I’ve been around a lot of student programs. I’ve seen what they’ve done. I’ve been to cultural events and stuff like that. So, I’m pretty sure I got the point of certain student programs, where their money goes and I have a neutral viewpoint and my neutral viewpoint is that as long as they can show me what they’re going to do, and if what they’re going to do is going to be productive towards the student campus, then I’m willing to help them out on their budget.
Emerald: What is your favorite reality television show, and how does it relate to your campaign?
Cortez: I’ll be honest with you. I don’t really watch that much TV so I don’t really know much about reality TV so I can’t answer that one.

— Ayisha Yahya