Click here to read the profiles of each of the UOSA executive candidates
UOSA president and vice president candidates discussed campus issues Wednesday night at a debate hosted by Student Media.
The four pairs of candidates attended the debate moderated by OU Daily Editor-in-Chief, Jamie Hughes, in the Molly Shi Boren Ballroom of the Oklahoma Memorial Union.
Candidates were restricted to one minute per answer.
All of the candidates agreed on one point: No one thought UOSA was sufficiently relevant to students.
Jess Eddy, presidential candidate, said UOSA must set up programs that encourage student participation.
“Students are not in touch with UOSA, and UOSA does not make any substantial steps to bridge this gap,” said Eddy, religious studies and political science sophomore.
Many people join UOSA in order to improve their resume instead of the university, said Nicholas Harrison, presidential candidate.
“There’s a belief out there ... that student government is really just about people trying to improve themselves,” said Harrison, law and business graduate student.
Presidential Candidate Franz Zenteno, international and area studies and French senior, said he wants to advocate for all OU students.
Ally Glavas, political science sophomore, said her platform is based around trying to make UOSA relevant to students by improving advising and other issues.
The presidential candidate said the OU administration does a lot for OU but could provide more.
“We’re not asking enough ... I don’t think UOSA is challenging the administration enough,” Glavas said.
Glavas said if she was not elected president, she would still work to improve campus.
None of the candidates said they would support an increase in stipends for the president. Eddy went a step further and said if he were elected, he would use the stipend to create a scholarship.
The only vice presidential candidate who announced support a referendum to create a Student Organization Senate was John Surles, whose running mate, Harrison, authored the amendment.
“I don’t think that our school’s government would suffer from more ideas, I think we currently suffer from lack of ideas,” said Surles, multidisciplinary junior.
However, Vice President Candidate Jay Kumar said the creation of a new branch might create unneccasary complications within UOSA before the student government can grow in the right direction.
“Before we should open another branch, we should fix what we have now,” Kumar said.
Zenteno said he is focused on diversity across OU’s campus.
“We want to send a message that OU is diverse and we will fight for all students,” Zenteno said.
Harrison said there are many groups of people with interest in the university.
“We need to have a system of shared governance in which all the stakeholders have a say in the university,” Harrison said.
Harrison supports creating a university community council that would include undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff and community members.
Around 80 people attended the debate. UOSA elections are March 30 and 31.
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OUsoonercitizen 2 years, 1 month ago
The daily needs actually do some investigative journalism and ask questions about Harrison's record...
Forcible Entry CONVICTION http://www.oscn.net/applications/ocisweb/GetCaseInformation.asp?submitted=true&viewtype=caseGeneral&casemasterID=2026891&db=Cleveland
Speeding just this Month! http://www.oscn.net/applications/ocisweb/GetCaseInformation.asp?submitted=true&viewtype=caseGeneral&casemasterID=2043310&db=Cleveland
Driving resulting in a collision CONVICTION http://www.oscn.net/applications/ocisweb/GetCaseInformation.asp?submitted=true&viewtype=caseGeneral&casemasterID=2380170&db=Oklahoma
Speeding over 20MPH over the speed limit CONVICTION http://www.oscn.net/applications/ocisweb/GetCaseInformation.asp?submitted=true&viewtype=caseGeneral&casemasterID=1944608&db=Oklahoma
Frivolous lawsuit filed by Harrison DISMISSED http://www.oscn.net/applications/ocisweb/GetCaseInformation.asp?submitted=true&view type=caseGeneral&casemasterID=2314650&db=Oklahoma
Frivolous lawsuit filed by Harrison against UCO DISMISSED http://www.oscn.net/applications/ocisweb/GetCaseInformation.asp?submitted=true&viewtype=caseGeneral&casemasterID=2079754&db=Oklahoma
Let the students know the truth, the Daily is the STUDENTS INDEPENDENT VOICE, act like it
bosborne1 2 years, 1 month ago
Wrecks, speeding, and filing lawsuits are not evidence of a person's moral character last time I checked. The first one is a different Harrison. What ARE you trying to prove my posting these things anonymous?
boomerm9 2 years, 1 month ago
I saw in the paper that it says Frank Zenteno - Franz.... it's all over campus.
I feel like this article is unevenly focused.
NormanNow 2 years, 1 month ago
Harrison talks about transparency I think its time for him to explain why he repeatedly exceeds the speed limit putting others in danger. If you think you are above the rules on the road, why not in office too? I think that you can tell a lot about person by there record are they willing to work to together or just sue someone in court.
johannes 2 years, 1 month ago
@OUsoonercitizen and NormanNow.
The gig's up, Franz.
I'm really disgusted by all of the candidates this year. They're all awful. I know I say that every year, but this year really takes the cake.