Election season is in full swing for 2013-14 OU Student Congress

Election season for the Oakland University Student Congress is in full swing and voting days are fast approaching. Voting for the 2013-14 student body president, vice president and legislators will take place Monday, March 18, through Wednesday, March 20. 

Students are able to vote online at oakland.edu/voteou and at polling stations in Kresge Library, the Recreation center, the Oakland Center and outside Vandenberg cafeteria. Students can view the ballot for more information on candidates running for president, vice president and legislator positions.

Students are encouraged to attend the presidential debate, which will take place at noon on Tuesday, March 12, in the Gold Rooms of the Oakland Center.

Two pairs will be campaigning to win the positions of student body president and vice president. The two tickets are Amera Fattah/Maria Arellano and Brandon Hanna/Jibran Ahmed. 

Amera Fattah is a senior majoring in communication with a minor in public relations and the student services director for OUSC. Her running mate Maria Arellano is a sophomore majoring in graphic design with a minor in advertising and the multicultural initiatives director for OUSC.

“Just working this past semester and a half as student services director has allowed me to impact the campus in an abundance of ways,” said Fattah. “I want that to continue. I want the connections to continue. I want the possibilities to be endless." 

The Fattah/Arellano platform features student-based initiatives, such as gender neutral housing, increased dining space and improvement of parking and transportation methods including the Bear Bus and Bike Share. Technological advances and sustainability initiatives, such as the One Less tumblers, are also a main focus. The pair promotes their motto “Push the connections, play the possibilities,” by continuing to establish relationships with administration, students and the community.

For more information, visit their website.  

Brandon Hanna is a senior majoring in biology and the student activities funding board chair. Vice Presidential Candidate Jibran Ahmed is a junior majoring in international relations with a minor in theater and a student congress legislator.

“We’re here to serve the students by putting on events, encouraging students to voice their opinions, addressing student concerns, and by promoting grizzly pride to make the best possible Oakland experience for students attending OU,” said Hanna.

Hanna and Ahmed feature a platform based on student concerns, such as tuition rates, parking and better Wi-Fi reception. These things, in addition to working toward technological advances in programs such as Moodle, installing more outlets in areas such as the Pioneer food court and bringing back free scantrons, are initiatives that uphold their motto “Making your Oakland experience better.”

For more information, visit their website.  

 
For more on debates, campaigning or the election process, contact Emily Collins at (248) 370-4290. To learn more about student issues, programs or getting involved with OUSC, view the website at oakland.edu/ousc.

Oakland University is a vibrant academic community with nearly 20,000 students and more than 265 academic degree programs. To learn more about programs, events, and achievements at OU, visit the news site at oakland.edu/newsatou and follow the news team on Twitter at @OaklandU_News.