Voting for the SGA elections began at 8 a.m. today and runs until 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Asher Griffin
presidential candidate
Why are you running for president?
“I’m running because SGA needs a president who has a vision for the student government and has the ability and experience in order to carry out that vision. Kyle and I are running off the platform of communicating student concerns, restoring SGA to its original purpose and cooperating with groups all around campus. But more than anything else, SGA needs a principled, passionate and purpose-driven leader back in the office of the president. I’m running because I want to lead the executive branch in manner that first respects each student and then serves each student’s need.”
What is your campaign platform?
“Our platform is filled with 25 specific goals that we want to achieve next year for the students. However, our overall platform is built on the foundation of communication, restoration and cooperation. We have to seek out the dreams and desires of the students and bring those to the desks of administrators. We have reform the executive branch to make it more ‘advocacy’ driven. And we need to extend the service of SGA to student groups outside of the SGA office. SGA is not for SGA people, it’s for everyone.”
What is the biggest on-campus issue?
“The biggest issue on campus is safety. We have a safe campus comparably, but it’s not safe enough. Kyle and I have been at many meetings with different student groups and at almost every single one of them, safety was the first thing they brought up of concern.”
What do you guarantee if you are elected?
“I can guarantee a work ethic that is built on a foundation of personal character and service. Kyle and I will diligently work alongside students in ways that will bring credit and glory to OSU. We will work with the administration and university departments with respect of purpose and position. And we will continually work to seek out student opinions and bring those to the attention of the university.”
Fun or random fact about yourself?
“Well, when I played baseball in high school, I was told that I had the best strike-out swing in the history of the game. I’m pretty sure that’s a terrible thing, but sometimes your friends know you the best, right?”
Kyle Andrews
vice presidential candidate
Why are you running for vice president?
“I am running for SGA because I enjoy serving the students. I think it is time for someone to step up and listen to the students, and I think Asher and I are the two to do it. I think OSU is a great place and I want to take part in making it even better, I have a passionate heart to serve and a positive excitement to make students’ lives easier on campus. I think it is time to truly externalize SGA and make it a place where each student has an equal opportunity to get involved on this campus.”
What justifies a new student fee?
“I think the only thing that can justify a new student fee is the students’ decision. It is not the right of an SGA officer to decide if a student fee is needed; it should be SGA asking the students if a new fee is needed. Asher and I will do this through asking students through online polling and student group think tanks so that the student voice is upheld in any student fee decision.”
How will you work to involve every student into SGA?
“It’s very simple—SGA needs to go to the students asking for their help—SGA shouldn’t expect each student to come find an application or ask how to get involved. SGA needs to take applications and announcements to every living constituency and college; it is simple communication if we just take the effort.”
What do you guarantee if elected?
“I guarantee that I will not sleep until each student’s voice is heard. SGA shouldn’t be just about SGA; it should be about every student having the opportunity to change this campus, community and world. I guarantee SGA will seek the students before the students have to seek SGA.
Fun or random fact about yourself?
“I have a three-legged cat. Oh, and I worked at Chuck E. Cheese but unfortunately I had to quit because they tried to get me to wear the mouse suit that I swear hadn’t been cleaned in 12 years. I think I saw a little mold growing inside that thing. I am all about doing spontaneous and fun things but you just shouldn’t mess with mold.”
Emilee Lehenbauer
presidential candidate
Why are you running for president?
“I am running for president because I want to see SGA do more for students. Michael [Warren, current SGA president] and I have worked to make a lot of changes in the organization and to start new programs, but there is still so much more that can be done. You cannot expect students to care about SGA until you give them a reason to care. I want to continue to build on the momentum that was created in SGA this year to reach the rest of the student body.”
What is your campaign platform?
“Dillon and I built our platform on the basis of action. We know that students care less about our philosophy of leadership and more about what we can do as leaders of SGA that will actually impact their college experience. Our platform includes plans to enhance the student experience, improve the campus environment, unite the student voice and strengthen the OSU community.”
What is the biggest on-campus issue?
“It is difficult to pinpoint a single issue as most pressing because our campus is comprised of students who struggle with a variety of different issues everyday whether it be drug and alcohol abuse, depression, personal security, physical wellness or relationship problems. The role of SGA is to address the needs of all students. I want to work to foster a stronger community within the student body to build a support system that will help individuals overcome their struggles.”
What do you guarantee if you are elected?
“I guarantee that I will be committed to growing programs that were started this year including recycling, Take a Kid to the Game and our partnership with Habitat for Humanity. I guarantee that I will build on the relationships that I already have with the administration to make sure that student concerns are not only heard, but also acted upon. I also guarantee that I will strive to uphold every promise on my platform just as Michael and I have done this year.”
Fun or random fact about yourself?
“I have a secret obsession with dinosaurs.”
Dillon Wilcox
vice presidential candidate
Why are you running for vice president?
“I’ve worked with Emilee on a couple of different projects this year and one day she asked me if I had some time to talk. I agreed, and we talked about several things from SGA’s current direction to concerns which had been voiced during ‘constituency days.’ She and I share a passion for improving the OSU campus, and she had several very cool, concrete ideas about how to go about the betterment process. She also has a leadership style developed practically, so I know the goals we have will come to life.”
What justifies a new student fee?
“It is important to remember that the fees are set by two levels of regents. We can actively lobby the regents and administration who work with them but at the same time fees have not once been lowered following an official SGA recommendation. Three things justify a fee for me: proper use of the fees currently in place, a clearly defined fee purpose and a clearly defined action plan to reach the purpose given the fee’s implementation.”
How will you work to involve every student into SGA?
“The first thing is making sure the students’ voices are heard, we want to do this by continuing to promote the Eballot software and continuing to use it on big issues. We want to involve the students by placing application turnstiles in the residential halls to increase the number of applicants to programs. We also want to continue the open relationship we’ve had with students during the election to bring students into the SGA office and find out what is important to them.”
What do you guarantee if elected?
“Check out our Web site, www.osumomentum.com. There you’ll find a defined and realistic list of what we promise to do. A year is a short time to accomplish things, help us continue our progress and lessen the turnover problem.”
Fun or random fact about yourself?
“I have broken 13 bones, and been on crutches a total of one year.”
To vote, go to http://elections.okstate.edu. Polling begins at 8 a.m. today and ends at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
SGA Election Agency Chairwoman Kimberly Geddie said students will also elect living-group senators for the SGA Senate.
Geddie said a nine-question recycling survey is on the ballot, asking whether it’s important, if students would be willing to pay a fee for it, where it should be implemented and what kind of recycling is most needed.
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