OCBY

Tket

OCBY

A

s the sun emerged in the early dawn hours the weeks following spring break, candidates on the OCBY ticket began the day's campaigning by distributing flyers. The party's work extended into the early morning hours when faithful members covered the campus sidewalks with chalk messages about the party's platform. The driving force behind these tasks were four students who did not know each other at the start of the school year, but they all believed student government needed to be a "doing" organization. Campaigning on the slogan "Realizing the Possibilities," the new IUSA executives believed student activity was the key to successful results.

Junior Dave Orensten, sophomore Steve Chiagouris, graduate student Jennifer Borse and junior Jennifer Yocum met through mutual friends and IUSA members. With 2,295 votes in the election, April 1-2, these executives of the OCBY ticket were elected as the new IU Student Association officers. They acquired the offices of president, vice president for congress, vice president for administration and treasurer respectively.

Newly elected Borse said OCBY was a fun-loving group of people who enjoyed having a good time. She believed each executive took their job seriously, but not themselves. The respect they had for each other made the group a productive team. "At times we agree to disagree on certain issues . We don't take disagreements personally because we all want what is best for IUSA," said Borse.

Orensten became interested in the IUSA presidency when he learned the other parties running did not focus on the issues he thought were important. Politics were not something Orensten liked, or saw in his future. But he served as the president of Teter Quadrangle and realized he could participate in worthwhile projects for students. Orensten stressed the importance of student involvement. He pointed out articles printed in the Indiana Daily Student that reflected a negative view of IUSA. But Orensten insisted student politics were important. "IUSA can make a difference. Those who say it can't are saying students in general can't make a difference," said Orensten.

profile

By Elizabeth DeLion Olivia Clarke

Campaigning involved speaking with student groups on campus to discuss ways to improve IUSA. During a press conference, Borse said one of the main jobs of OCBY was listening to the concerns of students and acting as a liaison between the administration and student body. "We are all here at IU to learn and the OCBY ticket wants to work with and for the student body to ensure that our learning environment is conducive to our academic success," she said. "We seek to engage the faculty of the university in a meaningful dialogue that will help bring positive change."

Yocum said as treasurer she wanted to change the inordinate amount of time IUSA took in reimbursing student groups. She said many times IUSA sponsored a group, but the group used its own money and then IUSA paid them back. "[Campaigning] has been worth it, but we could not have done any of this without all of the supporters who helped us get elected," Yocum said. "Now we want to get in there and make a difference. We want to do all the things we pledged to do. We have got the best candidates and the beliefs to work for."

After the election, OCBY campaign manager Sean O'Meara held the traditional celebration party. Unfortunately the party was less than successful because the Bloomington Police Department arrived at the party scene and arrested 33 people. Orensten arrived shortly after the police and was disheartened to see the celebration cut short. "I was disappointed the people who worked hard on the campaign were not allowed to enjoy the moment of the party," said Orensten.

Orensten worried about the effects of the arrests, but believed it was not a reflection on the party's abilities. OCBY's four executives had distinct personalities and shared a mutual respect for each other that allowed them to work through a variety of obstacles. "We're all pretty different which is a good thing because we all have to work with different groups of people on different projects," said Orensten. -Even after running a campaign, we all get along and we are looking forward to a productive year."

Moving their office from the Indiana Memorial Union to Ashton Center, members of the winning IUSA ticket, junior Jennifer Yocum, sophomore Steve Chiagouris, graduate student Jennifer Borse and junior Dave Orensten prepare for the 1997-1998 school year. OCBY's goals included fostering communication between students and administrators and increasing student involvement in university issues. Photo by Matt McClain.

IUSA can make a difference. Those who say it can't are saying students in general can't make a difference.

Dave Orensten, IUSA President