Three students are running for ASUO Student Senate Seat 13, Arts & Letters, Journalism. Although all three candidates agreed to interviews with the Emerald, candidate Alicia Lindquist decided she was uncomfortable with the Emerald’s political coverage and did not want her responses printed.
The Emerald asked each candidate three general questions, and one specific question regarding student government: What’s the most important part of Senate Rules Section 5, which covers senate duties, and why?
Ashlee Stefani is a 20-year-old sophomore majoring in journalism, with minors in business and Spanish. She is also a member of Delta Gamma sorority and is running to “become proactive” in the way that the school is run. She was initially unfamiliar with Section 5, but said holding office hours is important so students have someone to turn to.
Q: How will you figure out how to spend the surplus?
Stefani: I think that the best way is to find out about the programs and participate in budget making processes, get a better understanding of what the programs are about and help develop cost-efficient budgets in order to allocate the funds in a cost-efficient way.
Q: How will you interact with student groups?
Stefani: Getting to know the groups, so I can have an understanding of where they’re coming from and be empathetic. My presence on ASUO would be important because there’s a little animosity between some groups and the greek system.
Q: What are the most important issues facing the students you represent?
Stefani: Finances. With the increase of tuition and incidental fees next year, I think that finances are going to be a large issue.
Stephan Myers is a transfer student from Canby, Ore., who served as a legislative senator and then ASU president at Clackamas Community College. After transferring to the University, he was hired as the legislative associate for ASUO. He did know Section 5 and said the most important duty was appointing academic seats and having student voices in the programs and classes.
Q: How will you figure out how to spend the surplus?
Myers: The surplus is going to be instrumental. With the fee constantly being attacked and scrutinized, it’s important to spend it on the growth of good programs.
Q: How will you interact with student groups?
Myers: Understanding the differences. Personally interacting with different groups, going to meetings and meeting with individuals and leaders in those positions.
Q: What are the most important issues facing the students you represent?
Myers: Important issues coming up are going to be the defense of the student fee and legitimizing how important that is; interaction and communication with our departments and with our leadership positions at the school to make sure the student voice is being heard and we have a say in everything that’s going on.