Why are you running in the ASUO Elections?

Hi! My name is Brendan Randall. I have no preference for pronouns, but I typically go by he, they, or she. I am a first-year law student and previous undergraduate here at the UO (hey double ducks)! Oregon has been my home for almost my whole life, and I am excited to give back to the UO community which has given so much to me by representing my graduate student colleagues. As an undergraduate, I majored in political science and global studies, with minors in legal studies, German, and global health. I also participated in undergraduate mock trial and held a position as an Events and Activities Representative with the Residence Hall Association. As a graduate student, my focus is on international law, maritime law, and public policy. That last focus, public policy, is a driving factor in my running for this position, but it is not the sole factor. Over the years, my education here, along with my own life experiences, have driven me towards a life of public service and helping people. I ask you, then, to help me give back to the UO so we can build a stronger campus together. Thank you.

As one of the most front facing parts of ASUO, how do you plan on making these interactions as positive as possible for students?

I think the best way to make these kinds of interactions as positive as possible is to be a strong, attentive, and caring listener. Student organizations are the lifeblood of campus culture and are deserving of considerable respect and attention. The duty of ASUO is student involvement, and that becomes extremely difficult if the students encounter unlistening ears, closed doors, and stiff rebuttal. I think the most appropriate philosophy to a position such as this is a baseline of yes, and if not yes, here's why. As a senator, I would make sure the process is as transparent as possible for students coming to me with requests for spending. In this manner, I am both representative and advisor for the students and their organizations. I also believe that respectful candor and a genuine interest in what student organizations have going on goes a long way in ensuring that these interactions are as positive as possible, both of which I have in abundance.

How are you connected to the academic programs you represent? How will you utilize these connections to best represent students?

The assorted graduate programs encompass around 3,836 students of a wide variety of degree paths. While I will never get to know all of my constituency, even split between two senator positions, I sincerely hope that by the end of my term I will have connected with many of you. With less than 4,000 of us, I consider the graduate students of the UO to almost be their own small town, and I consider it more than achievable to meet with every ASUO-affiliated graduate student organization on campus at least once. Indeed, I think I would be failing in my duty to my constituency if I did not do so. As of this very moment, I have already met many of you within Knight Law, and I hope to meet more of you all over campus in the days, weeks, and months to come.