Dear editor,

It’s time for a new direction; the right direction. Monday’s debate made it crystal clear that only three candidates have the dedication, and direction, to ensure meaningful change; Ryan Golden, Kailee Vick and Stacey Omosa.

We need executive officers that will lead with passion and poise, vision and vigor and most importantly, the objectivity to navigate the complications that come with the power of Student Association positions. At SA’s Monday debate, Ryan Golden, Kailee Vick and Stacey Omosa argued for realistically approaching adversity. Having spent a year in the SA cabinet, I know firsthand how challenging the executive branch can be. But that’s exactly why we need executive officers that will advocate for students with the logic and emotion necessary to convey our position. Unfortunately, not all the candidates recognize this necessity. At the debate, some asserted emotion was an enemy. That simply isn’t true; emotion is the hallmark of conviction. Emotion enhances objection and powers protest. A candidate that doesn’t believe emotion serves a vital role in leadership is unfit to lead a campus community plagued with issues like sexual assault, racism, homophobia and ableism.

We need leaders that are not afraid to place their duty to the student body above their deference to the administration. Ryan Golden, Kailee Vick and Stacey Omosa embody that commitment. When the university failed to address the seriousness of the Ackerman Avenue attack, Ryan Golden wrote a resolution condemning the university’s lack of action. When SA authorized “Cuse Can!” without oversight, Ryan Golden, Kailee Vick and Stacey Omosa publicly condemned the lack of transparency, inclusivity and commitment to community engagement.

But what have we heard from their opponents? On Monday, we heard some of the other candidates don’t believe advocacy is even a part of being an executive officer. Instead of advocating for you, they’ve offered you three-word slogans with too much fluff and not one single obtainable policy proposal. It’s those kinds of empty promises that will lead to future policy blunders, like Cuse Can!’s quarter of a $1 million disaster.

SA officials have the duty and disposition, the platform and power to effectuate change for all students of every race, color, creed, socioeconomic status and sexual or gender identity on this campus. I’m voting for Ryan Golden, Kailee Vick and Stacey Omosa, because it’s time for a new direction — the right direction.

Sincerely,

Iris Guzman

Co-chair of SA Community Engagement Committee

Published on April 3, 2019 at 11:09 pm