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In the first moderated Undergraduate Student Government election debate the three presidential and vice presidential teams agreed on most of the issues, including the current Ohio State quarter system, student safety and students living in residence halls.
“The quarter system is important to Ohio State; it makes us unique,” said Travis Pennell, a vice presidential candidate. “Being on the quarter system allows our students to have breaks in between starting new quarters.”
Presidential candidate Olivia Bumb also agreed in the uniqueness of the quarter system.
“Ohio State is a flagship university; we should not have to do what other schools are doing,” she said. “We should be able to keep the quarter system if that is what our students want.”
Presidential candidate Peter Koltak agreed. He said students are not behind changing to semesters and although it might seem easier, it does not make it better.
All three teams said they would work with lobbyists and legislators to ensure that OSU would not change to semesters.
They also agreed that requiring students to live in the residence halls for two years would not be best for OSU students.
“Making students live on campus for two years will kill the greek community,” said Amanda Graver, another candidate for vice president.
Allowing more students to live off-campus will create a more competitive housing market for landlords and realty companies, Graver said.
“I am also opposed to the idea,” said Jerry Dunleavy, who is also running for president of USG. “The university should instead invest more money into off-campus housing, making it a safer place for students.”
Vice presidential candidate Jacob Larger and Bumb were against the proposal, but said they are willing to negotiate with administrators.
“While we are opposed to the idea, we are willing to work and create exceptions for students in good academic standing or who can’t afford to live in the dorms.”
The teams were also asked what they would do to change OSU if they were elected.
Graver said she would like instructors to have more academic accountability to students.
“We want to have SEIs published and made public,” she said. “Students should be able to (view) the syllabus and required books before they decide on what classes to take.”
Jerry Dunleavy said he would keep safety as his top priority.
“We have made a lot of progress, but more needs to be done to keep students safe,” he said.
Larger said he wants to make students’ voices heard in Columbus and add more crosswalks around the campus area.
Nicole Staples can be reached at [email protected].
