In preparation for the vote to elect a new president and vice president for Student Association at Oswego State, the two presidential candidates debated their stances and platforms on April 5.

Moderated by Rob Davies, SA assistant director of military and veteran affairs, the candidates, Andre Nichols and Omar van Reenen, faced a packed room of constituents and voters and discussed what changes they would make should they be elected.

In the opening of the debate, the candidates were given the chance to talk about themselves and introduce their platforms. Van Reenen went first and described his life in Namibia, Africa, and how he learned the idea of placing service to his community before himself and was instilled with a passion of uplifting those around him. Nichols followed and talked about his intention to “show up and speak out” and how he wants to lead the charge toward reformation within SA.

A portion of the debate was dedicated to the topic of diversity and how the candidates both planned on expanding it on campus. Van Reenen spoke of the bills he worked on, including one to celebrate Black Solidarity Day, of which he said received 90 student endorsements, and PACSA (Plastic Action for Commitment to Sustainability Affirmation), of which he said 180 people signed to endorse. Van Reenen said diversity is not just a number or a statistic, but about inclusivity of everyone.

Nichols said he views diversity to not just implementing more students, but diversity of thought as well. He pledged, if elected, to appoint the most diverse cabinet there has been in SA. He also said he wants to ensure that students in the LGBTQ+ community and students of color to feel welcome on campus.

As for specific plans, Nichols said he hopes to implement a three-step plan to change SA’s outreach model. The first step is to hold a student-wide town hall meeting and invite administration to hear the issues voiced by the students, then to create an agenda based on the issues brought up and finally work toward widespread reform in the finance department. He plans to propose a bill to bar an SA finance director and assistant finance director from sitting on e-boards of the organizations recognized by SA.

Van Reenen said, if elected, he would work toward fighting for the DACA program and supplying international students with a few days’ worth of necessities in the event they lose their baggage while traveling to Oswego. He also said he would fight for sustainability, fight against the funding gap between men’s and women’s club sports teams, make tampons and sanitary napkins freely available for students in academic buildings and change the bathroom signs across campus to be gender inclusive.

When asked by a constituent how they plan to ensure that policies last, Nichols said students need the support of administration, and van Reenen said it is important to empower students because “the people make the change, not the policies.”

Another student asked what they think is the best way to go about ensuring equal funding to organizations. Nichols said it is important not to just have equality, but equity. Where equal dollar amounts for each club is preferable, he said he believes there is a bigger need for equity and transparency. Van Reenen took the stance of starting clubs out with equal dollar amounts so they can get the to same level as others. He suggested giving a lump sum to campus recreation, which would take distribution away from SA for club sports, giving an equal opportunity to the women’s club sports.

One student, going into STEM, asked how their potential presidency could benefit her and students like her. Van Reenen said it is necessary to encourage women to pursue careers in STEM, and it begins with appointing peer advisors and faculty who are women and women of color. Nichols said he would work with the SA director of diversity, equity and inclusion along with administration to hold programs to educate students about women in STEM.

The last question asked continued the conversation of diversity, in which the student asked about diversity of thought, specifically to make students who are politically conservative more comfortable on campus expressing their views. Van Reenen said there are already many programs in place where students can speak their views, such as Oz Talks and Oz Speaks. SA can promote these programs, but ultimately cannot change the attitude of the campus.

In response to this, Nichols said SA expressly prohibits discrimination of any kind and that free speech is important. He said he would work with the civil engagement director to promote free speech and diversity of thought and organize open forums with political clubs.

Oswego State students can vote to elect the SA president and vice president of their choosing on Laker Life between April 17 and 18.

Photo: Taylor Woods | The Oswegonian