Voting Time…A Look at the ASUO Presidential Candidates
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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.
Cash Kowalski's candidacy for ASUO President with the Flock Forward slate raises questions about the potential for meaningful change within the student government. Having served in the ASUO executive branch as Secretary of Engagement, Kowalski's campaign emphasizes his commitment to advocating for student needs and fostering a sense of community on campus. However, his primary focus on organizing the fall and spring street fairs leaves doubts about his ability to address more pressing issues, such as student organizations' defunding and the voting system's flaws. While Kowalski pledges to support student leaders and improve the transparency of the ASUO budget process, skepticism remains regarding his capacity to enact substantial reforms. Will he leverage his insider knowledge to streamline the budget process and empower student voices, or will his presidency perpetuate the inefficiencies of past administrations? These questions underscore the importance of scrutinizing candidates' track records and platforms to ensure that student government serves the best interests of the university community.
María Soto Cuesta's candidacy for Vice President with the Flock Forward slate continues the concerns about the prospect of genuine change within ASUO. As a repeat runner who previously occupied Senate Seat 04 and ran unopposed for the position, Soto Cuesta's campaign narrative emphasizes her journey as an international student and her commitment to fostering inclusive change at the University of Oregon. While she highlights priorities such as community building and transparency in ASUO's decision-making processes, her past involvement in student government prompts questions about her effectiveness in addressing systemic issues. Despite her aspirations to enhance engagement and transparency, students may remain skeptical of Soto Cuesta's ability to deliver meaningful reforms, particularly in light of recent dissatisfaction with ASUO's responsiveness and accountability. As voters evaluate her candidacy, they must consider whether Soto Cuesta represents a fresh approach to student leadership or a continuation of the status quo.
Although their promises raise questions, their goals align with campus desires. But again, that's what every candidate says. For example, another ASUO Presidential candidate, Mariam Hassan, promises reform and engagement. As captain of the UO mock trial and an event coordinator for the Muslim Student Association, she brings a level of community engagement that could “[improve] communication channels between the student government and body, ensuring openness, honesty, and supportiveness.” While Hassan's promises may sound appealing on the surface, her campaign plan with the OurUO slate falls short in addressing the systemic issues plaguing ASUO. Despite her pledge to encourage student government involvement and improve communication channels, these assurances fail to address the disconnect between students, ASUO, and the administration. She fails to accurately critique the current problems with ASUO, so her ability to resolve future issues remains to be seen. While Hassan and her slate articulate admirable goals, their promises must be met with skepticism. Despite Hassan's rhetoric about inclusivity and comprehensive student representation, the track record of candidates in fulfilling similar pledges casts doubt on the feasibility of her proposed reforms, bringing the success of other campus organizations she's worked on to the dysfunction of the ASUO Student Senate. While Hassan portrays herself as a resource for all students, promising to foster a sense of value and representation across diverse backgrounds, students must question whether these aspirations translate into tangible action or merely serve as campaign rhetoric. As voters assess the OurUO slate's platform, they must scrutinize the potential for substantive change versus the risk of perpetuating empty promises and ineffective governance. Without clear strategies for meaningful reform, Hassan's candidacy risks perpetuating the status quo rather than enacting substantive change within the student government.
This commitment to the status quo might be illustrated through the VP choice, Kiki Akpakwu. Akpakwu's position on the slate as the vice president raises concerns about the perpetuation of the status quo within ASUO. Returning from a previously uncontested Senate seat, Akpakwu's unimpressive win with a near record-low voter turnout (108 total votes) hardly instills confidence in her ability to represent the student body effectively. While she claims a desire to foster collaboration between students, government, and administration, her track record and vague campaign rhetoric suggest a continuation of hollow promises and minimal impact. Rather than seeking genuine change, the OurUO slate appears more focused on personal ambition than addressing the university community's pressing issues. As students evaluate their choices in the upcoming election, they must prioritize slates committed to meaningful reform rather than those seeking to add another accolade to their resume.
As we review the spring voter guide and see familiar names, we should ask ourselves: What is the value in empty words and broken promises made by the same people who swore on those values last election? We need new blood.
Many of these candidates seem afraid to criticize the structural issues that need to change in our student government. This is not the case for Max Jensen, who is running for ASUO president under the UO student Power Slate. Among the candidates, he has the most experience, is unafraid to point to the real issues, and has proven he will be effective and responsible with his advocacy for student funds.
Max Jensen's candidacy for ASUO president under the UO Student Power slate presents an opportunity to address the failures of ASUO in the past. He is a current ROAR Center Co-director alongside vice presidential candidate Maxwell Gullickson. Jensen is also a former LGBTQA3 Events/Finance Coordinator and a former MCC Board Chair. His previous relationship with the MCC was reportedly under strain following the Angela Davis panel. After the event, Anonymous students and unconfirmed MCC staff claims circulated about Jensen and the ROAR staff failing to communicate and organize with them. The successful panel was an impressive accomplishment, but it remains a point of student disappointment in the organizers.
Outside of student organizations and events, Jensen already has an impressive amount of impactful change under his belt, from house bills to student workers. His level of experience is a unique quality in this election. His key campaign issues, ranging from housing affordability to cultural organization autonomy and student organization work-study, underscore his determination to rectify the shortcomings of the current ASUO system, not by overimposing student government into student organizations, which they have done nothing to gain the trust of, but by actively supporting the students who make up those organizations and their goals. By prioritizing transparency, inclusivity, and meaningful student engagement, Jensen could transform ASUO into a more responsive and effective body that genuinely serves the needs of the student community. However, while Jensen's platform offers promising solutions to longstanding problems within ASUO, there remains a need for scrutiny regarding the feasibility and implementation of his proposed initiatives. With some of the most ambitious campaign plans, he will likely be the target of many logistical questions during the upcoming town hall.
Maxwell Gullickson, the hopeful vice president under the UO Student Power slate, aligns with Jensen's commitment to addressing the systemic issues within ASUO. They are a current ROAR Center Co-Director and YDSA Socialist Feminist Chair. They were also involved with the restart of UO’s Students for Justice in Palestine chapter. Gullickson's bold acknowledgment of ASUO's bureaucratic hurdles for cultural and activist organizations highlights the slate's commitment to fostering change. Her platform emphasizes collaboration with student leaders and stakeholders to enact meaningful impacts across the university campus and the broader Eugene area. While her candidacy and the more extensive campaign of the UO Student Power Slate offer a promising vision for a more responsive and inclusive ASUO, critical scrutiny of proposed strategies and their feasibility is also still essential, as with all of the slates and candidates.
As the University of Oregon prepares for another round of ASUO elections, it's evident that the student body is eager for change amidst past disappointments and failures within the student government. The emergence of three slates - FlockForward, OurUO, and UO Student Power - signals a desire for new leadership and fresh perspectives. While candidates like Cash Kowalski of the Flock Forward slate and Kiki Akpakwu of the OurUO slate tout their experiences and aspirations for community improvement, their past involvements raise questions about their ability to deliver substantial reforms. While scrutiny of all candidates is essential, the UO Student Power slate represents a potential catalyst for meaningful change within ASUO, challenging the status quo and prioritizing the voices and needs of the student body. As voters weigh their options, they must consider which slate and candidates offer the most viable path toward a more responsive and effective student government.
