Sean RITCHIE, a junior business and sociology major, is running for president. Jason Babkes, a junior philosophy and business major, is running for vice president.
Q: There are at last count 10 tickets running for ASUO Executive, which is more than past years. What do you think will set yourselves apart from the other candidates?
A: I think that we’re running on a really passionate ticket. We’re really committed to uniting the campus and making it a better place for all of the students combined as one unit — and not keeping it segmented.
We grew up in Eugene, so we have a huge interest in this University. We’ve seen what it can do to the community — positively and negatively — and we see how we can make a better impact and relate the University to the community better. I’d like to emphasize the passion we run on.
Q: Briefly describe your platform.
A: We really want to unite the campus through an integrated network of leaders that would report to us. That way we would really unite all the students together and not have a bunch of different groups out for their own objectives. We also really want to focus on nighttime safety on campus. We have some ideas, like a monitored route through campus and maybe more lights. It’s very important that the Eugene community and the University really work together. The community and the University really networking and relating to each other and knowing what’s going on would make it a lot better.
Q: What will you advocate for on the state level for students, and how will you carry out your plans?
A: We are going to develop a rapport. I would start with U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Eugene. He is an extremely accessible representative. Communication would be our initial step, and to see where it goes from there. Obviously the budget (needs to be addressed). We do need more funding, but they don’t want us to have bad funding. It’s a matter of where it comes from. Also, Oregon University System Chancellor Joe Cox just retired and there’s going to be a new chancellor coming in. He or she is new, and we’re going to be new, and we’d like to join forces.
Q: What specific campus-oriented initiates will you champion?
A: Another big thing is recognition for all groups. There are a ton of different organizations in this University, and to get them working together for a common goal is awesome, but dividing is not.
You see different student groups at different places on campus promoting events. You should have different student groups working together on one project and promoting that … coming together and doing something for the good for the University.
Q: How do you define diversity? And how do you plan on bringing together the diverse voices on campus?
A: Through better awareness. It’s a shame that on campus there is harassment, and through better awareness they would show more respect for each other. That will come about from working together more and not staying separate.
Our idea of a truly integrated network with a leader from every group is feasible. There is a finite number of groups, so there can be a finite number of people and liaisons from each of the groups that we could coordinate.
Q: If two student groups were at odds with each other, how would you resolve the conflict?
A: I would take the groups that were at odds with each other, and we would have a discussion to find out … what issues are creating the conflict. It would be wrong to work with each group separately.
Q: If there was one thing you could change about the University instantly, what would it be?
A: In an ideal world, I would have more money; more funding.
We would unite the University.
Q: How would you do things differently than the current
ASUO Executive?
A: We would be very proactive on campus. We’re not going to be in the office a lot of times during the day. We’re going to be spreading ourselves out on campus talking to people and getting to the issues, and people’s opinions on things.