As the University of Oregon braces itself for another round of ASUO elections, a critical examination of the candidates reveals a concerning trend: incumbents from the current student government seek re-election under the guise of community improvement. However, their track record tells a different story, stained by disastrous planning decisions such as the mishandling of NASU's oldest tradition and the disenfranchisement of students during the winter term election. This year, three slates vie for student votes: FlockForward, OurUO, and UO Student Power. Amidst promises of change and progress, it's imperative to scrutinize the credentials and actions of each candidate to ensure that history doesn't repeat itself.

Scholz has spent much of his life in higher education, emphasizing equitable accessibility. However, he is an economist at heart. Scholz's values align closely with the board's, but he is out of touch with student demands. This discrepancy has been evident in his failure to address harmful Unviersity investments as university president, which has drawn criticism from student groups like Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).

ASUO Accused of Cultural Insensitivity and Budgetary Neglect. Last year, ASUO allocated $252,000 for the concert, while this year's concert budget has increased to $350,000. In contrast, NASU received only $675 for events outside the Mother's Day Powwow… ASUO then scheduled a concert on the same day as the Powwow.

As the University of Oregon braces itself for another round of ASUO elections, it's imperative to scrutinize structural flaws that mar our democratic process, contributing to student apathy, voter fatigue, and abysmally low turnout.