Why are you running in the ASUO Elections?
Hello, my name is Jordan Ackemann (he/him) and I’m a third year planning, public policy, and management major with a global studies minor. I’m from Santa Cruz, California and have served in ASUO for a year as a Senator for the Contracts Finance Committee (CFC). I know the problem is with the system and how it rewards those in power for doing what is easiest and wrong, not what is best for the students. ASUO representatives often perpetuate the issues instead of challenging the internal bureaucracy and outside pressure of the university administration. ASUO should be a bulwark against the administration, not a mouthpiece for it. The responsibility and power that comes with a ten million dollar budget is enormous and has real impacts on students. These resources should be for changing the campus for the better and helping students get their basic and academic needs met. Student power will support basic needs, academic services, multiculturalism, and labor rights. If you’re ready to challenge the status quo, vote for UO Student Power!
What are three key student issues that you hope to focus on during your term?
Labor Rights: If workers did not show up, the University would be closed. If the Board of Trustees and UO President did not show up, no one would notice. Full time workers, graduate employees, student workers, and professors all perform the vital day to day tasks that make the University function. UO student power will advocate for the needs of these workers to the administration and on a state level. We support living wages for all workers, especially student workers. The University of Oregon is currently functioning as a for-profit business that seeks to pay its workers as little as possible for maximum profit. The faculty union, United Academics, and the student workers union, UO Student Workers, have voted to authorize a strike. This shows how little the administration cares about its workers. We will ensure that all ASUO funded student jobs are paid properly. Basic Needs: Students should be able to focus on their studies and not have to worry about what they are going to eat. Far too many students at this university struggle to get basic needs. UO Student Power will continue funding towards the basic needs program and lobby for funding on a state level. We will push for abortion access and HRT through the Health Center, as these services will become more at risk by the current federal administration. We will pressure the UO administration to put more funding towards these vital issues facing students. Academic Services: The University of Oregon is currently lacking many key academic resources that are important to student success. There are no 24 hour study spaces on campus which UO had in the past and many other universities have currently. We also believe that AEC accommodations should be more flexible. As one of the many students with ADHD on this campus that utilizes AEC accommodations, there is more to be done to streamline the process and support those with different learning styles. Finally, textbook costs are incredibly high and UO Student Power supports textbook affordability legislation and expanding open educational resources across campus.