The three Student Senate presidential candidates' opinions differed on nearly every topic in last night's debate, but they did find one subject to agree on ' their disappointment with this year's senate.
Third-year seniors Michael Adeyanju and Mashur Rahman and junior Will Klatt stressed the senate's lack of accountability and communication to its constituents.
We've been dealing with mediocracy on this campus for far too long
and we're about to change that said Klatt, leader of the Birthday Party.
All three candidates suggested updating the senate's Web site and sending out regular e-mails to students to inform them of the senate's decisions and upcoming discussions.
Adeyanju of the Ability And Accountability party (AAA) said he would try to make his own radio show through All Campus Radio Network or WOUB's AM radio show Shades of Color to talk to the student body. Adeyanju said he would fund it either through a portion of the senate's budget or by himself if the first option doesn't work.
Rahman said his party ' the Action through Communication and Teamwork party (ACT OU) ' would try to pass a bill requiring senators to inform their constituents. If they don't represent their students, Rahman said he plans to put them on probation.
He suggested the senate look into a more inclusive governance system at Ohio University, one that would incorporate faculty on the Board of Trustees. Although he acknowledges it cannot be done quickly, Rahman said a non-voting faculty member would give the board a valuable point of view.
Adeyanju said he considered shared governance the ability of the senate to work with other groups and administrators on campus to create positive change.
We have to be able to criticize effectively while working together Adeyanju said. And it's about doing it in a productive manner
not something that will just draw attention or something that will get nothing accomplished.
Apart from the senate's shortcomings, Klatt said he wants to reformat the alcohol and marijuana policy because it doesn't distinguish between low- and high-risk drinking. Also, the Student Code of Conduct is too harsh on offenders, he said.
Under the current system
if you're put on probation
you're almost automatically suspended if you're caught a second time
Klatt said. I can think of very few times where getting caught with alcohol twice warrants a suspension.
Rahman said the alcohol and marijuana policy is something students sign upon entering OU and therefore should be followed.
The candidates for executive positions will debate at 6 p.m. next Tuesday in Bentley Hall 236.
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Kristina Hauptmann
