Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1977-1989 | View Entire Issue (April 20, 1983)
Candidates express views for ASG elections By Shelley Ball Of The Print Associated Student Government candidates John Sagoe, Don Porter and Tim Sytsma squared off in the political boxing ring April 14. Three editors of The Print asked the can didates questions while being taped for Clackamas Community College’s Stu-,, dent Information Network (SIN). Print Editor In Chief J. Dana Haynes, News Editor Doug Vaughan and Rick Obritschkewitsch (former editor in chief of The Print) asked the office-seekers a total of nine questions, which they answered in an impromptu manner. The tape was designed for College students to view, and was shown on campus Friday. Current ASG President Paul Nastari introduced the candidates and reporters, after which the nominees made their opening statements. Vice presidential candidate Tim Sytsma spoke first by saying he could bring much experience to the ASG. He cited his knowledge as a first-year criminal justice student and his involve ment with the College’s Marketing Task Force. “I consider myself a ‘people’ per son; I enjoy working with people,” Sytsma said. Goals for Sytsma include suppor ting the president (Porter is his running mate) and “see that the bookstore is looked into.” Porter’s goal for ASG president is to “provide a service to the students.” Having served as ASG president in 1979-80, Porter said he would like to “relive that experience. That had to have been the most positive year of my life,” he said. “The students here are the most powerful force. Together we could get a lot accomplished,” Porter added. Presidential candidate Sagoe, who has been involved in ASG’s activities this year as a senator, said “I would real ly like to see these things improved.” Sagoe’s running mate, vice presidential candidate Linda Cox was not able to participate due to illness. Sagoe answered questions for both of them. He said he would not make any promises at this time, but Sagoe assures all students that “If Linda (Cox) and I are elected we will do the best to serve you.” Page 4 The first question, directed toward Porter and Sagoe, dealt with whether or not the bookstore needs improving, and if so what solutions would be employed. Porter said “the bookstore is currently violating students’ rights,” through over pricing. Although he s.aid he might not be able to change the prices, Porter said he would like to form a committee to look into the bookstore . He also said he had a student book rental program on the drawing board. “I’ve heard the 99 ways that it won’t work; but I’m only concerned with the one way it will work-and that’s my way,” Porter said. “I’m sure we would like to see books sold at a dollar apiece,” Sagoe answered. “But we should consider the consequences—they (the bookstore per sonnel) are running a business,” he ad ded. Sagoe also said that students do have an alternative to the bookstore through the book exchange program, which he thinks is “a tremendous pro gram.” Sagoe explained how he was able to buy a bopk he needed for $4 through the exchange program, as op posed to the $12 he would have had to pay for the same book, used, at the bookstore. “I see that (book exchange pro gram) as a good thing, and Linda (Cox) and I plan to keep it going. It’s a good way to fight back at the bookstore and its prices,” Sagoe said. The second question, also directed toward Sagoe and Porter, asked how they would keep the lines of com munication open between the students and the ASG. Porter said he would “try to figure out ways to communicate with students” through the Today bulletin, The Print and SIN. Porter proposed better utilization of SIN in order to “do away with posters” and other types of “low grade publicity on campus.” He also proposed pur chasing a small reader board for the Community Center, and asking The Print to donate space in the paper for the ASG to report what is going on at the College. Sagoe said he and Cox plan to donate their lunch hour every other week by being available in the Com- Both ASG presidential candidates John Sagoe and Don Porter (lower prior to the Lip Sync Contest. Photos by Duane Hiersche munity Center Mall to talk to students. Sending out a newsletter from the ex ecutive office of the ASG, encouraging students to use the suggestion box and “activating” the grievance committee to better look into student’s problems were other methods Sagoe mentioned. Question three asked Sytsma if the ASG adds to the education of students, to which he said “I think the ASG, if properly run, does add to the students. A lot can be done through utilization of the ASG.” Sytsma added, “You’ll always have to deal with apathy—for those you can only try.” Sytsma was also asked to explain why he should be elected. Sytsma restated his experience, and said “I’m capable and experienced enough to handle the job well. I stand on my record.” Since Cox was absent, Sagoe answered for her by saying “As a mother of three, she is a potential leader.” Sagoe also described Cox as “the backbone behind the Spanish club,” of which she is currently presi dent. What vice president nominees see as the function of the ASG marked the fifth question. Sytsma said “The func tion is outlined in the constitution—to support and represent the students.” He also stressed the importance of students voting in the elections. “If this discussion has any bearing, it’s to (get the students to) vote,” he said. Presidential candidates answered question six, which concerned their dif fering viewpoints on the type of rela tionship the ASG and The Print should have with each other. During the time Porter served on the ASG, there was great tension bet ween it and The Print. Today Porter says The Print is doing its job, but he also said “I don’t expect to have too many friends at The Print. I’m a doer, not a sayer.” Sagoe, who has written for The Print, said “The media is a tremendous tool we have on campus; I wish we would have more students read the paper.” Sagoe said he thought the ASG and The Print should each be an in dependent body, but that the ASG should also be open to criticism from The Print. “The two should not have any conflicts,” he said. Presidential nominees also answered question seven, which asked if the current ASG fits the needs of students. Porter said, “I don’t feel their needs are being covered.” He also said he didn’t know how the students felt, however, because of the lack of student involvement. Sagoe said “I think the ASG has done a tremendous job this year, but there is room for improvement. Somewhere along the line the message (between ASG and students) is not get ting across.” He proposed more ac tivities and student polls in. order to find out what they want. Question eight asked Sytsma if he could work with Sagoe, who is not his running mate. Sytsma said that he did not know Sagoe very well, but what he had heard about him was “honorable.” “At this point I can’t say—only time will tell,” he answered. The ninth and final question was given to the presidential candidates, which asked them to state if they thought the current ASG’s decision to remain neutral on national politics, such as the nuclear war issue, was an ap propriate one. Sagoe said the ASG’s first priority is to serve the students. “What help is it (taking a stand) going to be to the students? It’s not a pressing need,” he stated. Porter agreed with Sagoe. “The ASG has no business getting involved in national situations,” he said. Porter ex plained that his previous administration did support the issue of the hostages in Iran, but he felt the ASG should stay out of national politics. “I feel it’s important that the stu dent body here comes first over national issues,” Porter added. Reader’s Note: Due to audio pro blems a retaping was required. Some of the quotes or information above may not be found on the final tape, as they were recorded during the first taping. Clackamas Community College
