Tell us about yourself.

Hi y’all! My name is Walker Hicks and I use He/Him pronouns. I am from Berkeley, California and I am a junior studying Business Administration and minoring in Black Studies. I am currently the treasurer of the Black Male Alliance and a Center Assistant at the LRP Black Cultural Center on campus. For fun I love to bake bread and other pastries as well as making ceramics at the craft center.

What are the three key issues that you've noticed on campus that you hope to improve for students as an elected official?
Please list each issue and briefly explain how you hope to improve it.

The first issue I wish to improve on campus is the inequitable standards placed upon cultural and affinity based organizations which result in budget cuts. By changing the unfair attendance standards and tier system requirements to better reflect the needs of the students, I hope to strengthen these support systems for marginalized students of color. Secondly, food insecurity is a significant problem for many students and I hope to work with other members of my team to help alleviate the burden of food access by creating a free grab & go meals program. Lastly, I wish to create stronger student engagement with the Many Nations Longhouse and the Lyllye Reynolds-Parker Black Cultural Center by implementing mandatory stops at these locations during campus tours and IntroDUCKtion.

Why are you running?

I’m running for PFC because I believe ASUO has unjustly cut funding from cultural organizations on campus. I’m hoping to be a better advocate for students that’ve been marginalized through the budget processes and intimidating tactics of previous ASUO PFC Committees, and close barriers between clubs and their rightful access to funding. It’s my mission to support Black students and other students of color at UO by being an encouraging and approachable member in PFC.