Though a month is an inadequate period to gauge future progress, ASUO President Jay Breslow has made a smooth transition into the position and is facing the school year head on.
Breslow is directing the student government solo for now, while his vice president and cousin Holly Magner travels out of the country for the summer. But the ASUO president is plugging away, despite facing difficulties including a small summer staff and the absence of an executive coordinator.
“I’m realistic about my job and what I’ll be able to do personally,” Breslow said, in response to the challenges he’s facing now and will continue to battle throughout the summer. “Holly will have a steep learning curve when she comes back in September.”
Former ASUO Vice President Mitra Anoushiravani is relieving a portion of Breslow’s stress by tackling some of the detailed executive work.
“What better person to do that than the person who’s been doing it for the last year,” Breslow said.
Based upon her past experience, Anoushiravani believes that Breslow is keeping up the pace this summer. She commented that the first month or two are the most difficult, because the staff is still figuring out exactly what the position’s duties are.
“Jay is doing a good job, especially considering his lack of resources this summer,” Anoushiravani said. “He is sure of his goals and even more sure of how to reach them.”
However, Breslow is putting faith in his staff to step up and assist him in the summer projects before him. According to Breslow, he has hired a staff composed of solid organizers and activists, qualities he relies on to run the staff smoothly.
“I’m real big on leadership development, so all the staff and volunteers feel they’re a part of the same group,” he said.
Part of creating that feeling of unity between volunteers and the staff will be the job of recent hiree, Jeff Kline.
Kline, who will serve as the internship coordinator, is a graduated teaching student who previously was the director of Hillel, a Jewish student organization.
“I’m really excited about having him on-board,” Breslow said.
Breslow’s attention is currently being monopolized by voter registration recruitment, one of the ASUO’s major goals. After kicking off the registration tables at IntroDUCKtion, getting 1,000 students to register to vote before school starts and 6,000 registered before the November election is a goal creeping closer to being realized.
“We’re leading the state [universities] right now with 200 registered students,” Breslow said. “That leaves us 5,800 short of our goal. It’s really ambitious, but I think we can do it.”
With initiatives on the ballot that can drastically affect students, Breslow isn’t focusing on telling students how to vote, but on educating them on the importance their vote holds.
“We want to educate students to the ramification of their vote, and why this year’s vote counts more than usual,” he said. “The state-wide election could have a big effect on their lives in the next year.”
Breslow’s largest and most comprehensive goal this summer is simply to prepare for the school year. He added that if the ASUO isn’t ready, it will trickle down to the other student organizations, which will lose trust in the executive leadership.
“It’s exciting to see the energy Jay brings to the executive office this summer,” said Greg Lobisser, director of student activities, who has been working hand-in-hand with Breslow on the recent hiring of a director for the multi-cultural center.
Breslow’s sister Jenny, who served as his campaign manager during the spring, was thankful his term has started.
“I think he’ll challenge this university,” she said.