Sam Dunaway | News Editor

With spring term comes the campus-wide event that decides who will represent the student body in 2018-2019: the ASWOU elections. Voting for the elections will begin on April 23 and will continue for at least a week, or until 10 percent of the student body has voted. To cast your vote, visit ASWOU’s OrgSync and read on to learn more about the candidates.

Name: Evelyn Guzman

Running for: President

“It has been the greatest experience being your student voice for the 2017-2018 year as Vice President … Your student voices matter and I truly believe that it is possible to have more of your voices represented in decision making settings but for that we need more involvement. I have attended Western since my freshman year and have continuously been involved with organizations/clubs and centers on campus, but also with initiatives within our community. I completely believe that (Western) has helped me grow as an individual and I intend on reflecting that back every step of the way. I intend on continuing to engage students into being more involved with (Western).”

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

Name: Logan Doerfler

Running for: Judicial Administrator

“You may recognize my name after serving as your 2017-2018 Judicial Administrator.

After being granted the opportunity to serve the Western community I learned just how special ASWOU is, and how fulfilling it is to maintain the integrity of our systems, via Judicial Board hearings and participating in a number of ASWOU sponsored events. Western is a uniquely diverse community devoted to fair treatment and representation of all student demographics. As a student veteran, I represent a small but impactful group of individuals who strive to leave things better than they found it. I did my best to do so within ASWOU this year and will continue this priority next year.”

Photo by: Logan Doerfler

Name: Nathan Soltz

Running for: Senate President

“I have been active in politics since I was 15 and have been working in the Oregon State Senate since I was 18. I hold elected positions in party politics at the county, district and statewide levels. In 2016, I was elected to be a delegate to the national convention, becoming Oregon’s youngest-ever delegate at the age of 19 … I want to make the ASWOU Senate a deliberative, efficient body which truly understands the responsibilities it is sworn to uphold. The Senate represents you, the students of Western Oregon University, and with every action it takes, it needs to keep that in mind. As your ASWOU Senate President, I promise transparency, honesty and responsiveness.”

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

Name: Rowan Hammer

Running for: a Senate seat

I am not running for ASWOU Senate with any specific agenda for making changes. Instead, I want to serve as an advocate for students and foster open communication between the student body and the university administration. I want to promote diversity and inclusion by working to ensure that everyone’s opinions and viewpoints can be shared openly, regardless of your personal background or attributes. If there is any one issue that I would want to try to address it would be an ongoing effort to make school more affordable for students, especially by encouraging instructors to adopt low-cost and open-source textbooks.

Photo by: Rowan Hammer

Name: Jamie Norr

Running for: a Senate seat

“This would be my second year on ASWOU Senate. I am extremely committed to improving our school for all students, faculty and staff, and community members. I believe that our student government should be an open space where everyone can voice their opinions and have their ideas heard. I plan to encourage and implement that idea if elected to this position. As a future educator, I love being involved in improving education for all and being a Senator will allow me to work on what our students want and need. I plan to increase opportunities for students to follow their passions in a healthy and positive way. I hope to assist in creating a safe and accepting school by listening to fellow students, advocating for changes, speaking out against discrimination or notions that may harm students, and working towards a better community.”

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

Name: Erik Morgan Jr.

Running for: a Justice Board seat

“I want to continue to serve on the ASWOU Judicial Board because I believe in holding organizations accountable for the promises they make to the people they serve. In ASWOU’s mission statement, the organization pledges to ‘advocate for every WOU student’s rights to the WOU administration as well as the state of Oregon and the nation.’ In order to achieve that goal, ASWOU needs to be held responsible in two ways: by the students; and by the Judicial Board … By re-electing me to the ASWOU Judicial Board, students will be ensuring that there is an experienced Justice serving on the board that will act as a stabilizing figure and will allow a measure of consistency in decision making.”

Photo by: Paul F. Davis