Re: [WAC-list] Fwd: OSA

[Jesica Berndt <berndj22@mio.uwosh.edu>]

Dear List,

This email is written only to balance Julie's remarks regarding the OSA
election. Personally, I ask only that you vote knowledgeably and choose
the slate (and senators) that represent your views and communities.

While I don't doubt that Brian Rucks supported the Anti-DOMA Resolution
last fall, I'd like to remind everyone that Angi Daus (his running
mate)voted against the resolution as a college senator. Since LGBTQ
issues may be of some interest to our members, I can tell you that the
presentations given at Rainbow Alliance for HOPE the previous Monday
spoke volumes about each slate's perspective, and I believe HOPE's
endorsement of the Bertram/Fencsik campaign speaks volumes about their
answers to questions about queer issues. It also interests me that Mr.
Rucks visited a meeting only an hour after the WAC meeting last Thursday
and stated that he "had nothing better to do" than present at this
meeting. While this may attest to the organization he was speaking in
front of (USRH - where the other slate currently works), this comment
demonstrates to me that Mr. Rucks does not represent all students and
their issues, nor respect their right to receive adequate information
about his campaign or care about their vote. If he refuses to recognize
the voice of residence hall students, what is to say that he will give
adequate time and attention to women's  and queer issues?

The opposing slate (Students for Bertram/Fencsik) did attend our WAC
meeting on Thursday and received endorsement from the organization. This
slate approached me to ask about speaking at WAC before Andrea invited
both groups and made the effort to attend. One of their reasons for
attending the WAC meeting was to help members see that, despite their
gender, they are still supportive of women's issues. As a colleague and
friend I can testify that they have received extensive diversity
training through their work with Residence Life and embrace all members
of the UWO community, regardless of gender, sexuality or living
quarters.

As I said before, please make sure that you (and your friends and
classmates) vote this week. In these turbulent economic and political
times it is important to elect people who you feel represent you and
issues that are important to you, as well as those who will be strong
when faced with adversity from outside sources. Good luck to those
running for all positions, including the senators, and for the United
Council referendum.

Jes Berndt  

Jesica A. Berndt
Program Assistant, Scott Hall Community Review Board
President, Rainbow Alliance for HOPE
625 Algoma Blvd
221 South Scott Hall
Oshkosh WI 54901
Home: (920) 424-2853
Office: (920) 424-3317