THE BG NEWS
NATIONAL CHAMPS The Forensics and Debate team are heading to the national tournament soon. Read about their road to success on Page 2.
ESTABLISHED 1920 | An independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
VOLUME 94, ISSUE 82
USG Presidential Debate
Candidates speak about issues with representation, inclusion
“We need a USG that speaks for the voice of every student on this campus.”
By William Channell Managing Editor
The underrepresentation of certain student groups was the most contentious topic at Tuesday night’s debate for Undergraduate Student Government president and vice president elections. The issue that USG represents a disproportionate number of Greek life students was highlighted. A change in the “status quo” was emphasized by several candidates. “You’re not going to go to a party that you’re not invited to,” said presidential candidate Nadia Alzamami. This was in response to a question posed by an audience member regarding student outreach by USG. According to the audience member, who said he was previously in USG, the organization had repeatedly reached out to campus groups representing students of varying gender identities, ethnicities and sexualities. Vice Presidential candidate Ashley Robinson, who is on a ticket with Alzamami, said after the debate that from their perspective, the only time USG historically has reached out to these groups has been during election season. Additional concerns voiced by the audience dealt with a focus on the wrong groups. One attendee cited the Trenton Grohe/Kaylee Meade ticket visiting Gaming Society as an example of focusing on the wrong area. Grohe and Meade said they had reached out to Latino Student Union, but heard no response. While Grohe said they are “not experts” when it comes to the experiences of underrepresented students, they are planning to meet with Black Student Union later this week. The final formal question during the debate was regarding outreach to campus organizations by USG. Accountability was emphasized by Alzamami. “We know that student organizations represent communities here on campus,” she said. “That’s definitely something we would like to move forward with.” Alzamami expressed an inter-
“We specifically bring about a course that will prepare students when they’re going out in their desired field.”
TRENTEN GROHE - Presidential Candidate
“Representation is a necessity, not an option.”
KAYLEE MEADE - Vice Presidential Candidate
“People have seen members of USG reach out but that time has only been during elections.”
NADIA ALZAMAMI - Presidential Candidate
“Our plans are important but building relationships is about listening to you and making sure your needs are met.”
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ASHLEY ROBINSON - Vice Presidential Candidate
“I’ve spoken to so many student organizations ... They don’t know who we [USG] are.”
VICTOR SENN - Presidential Candidate
DANIELLE PARKER -Vice Presidential Candidate
See DEBATE | Page 6
Greek life uses values to create inclusive culture SWING DANCING National incidences do not reflect University’s sororities, fraternities
By Annie Furia Pulse Editor
After incidents involving racist and inappropriate behavior from fraternities at University of Oklahoma and Penn State have made national news, the spotlight is on Greek communities to see how they respond. At the University, it’s to prevent this behavior from happening at all. Associate Dean of Students in the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life Chris Bullins said the University takes proactive measures against any harmful behavior. He said the Fraternity and Sorority Life helps the individual fraternities and sororities, called chapters, stay focused on “the values on which they were founded, what those values are [and] what it means to live according to those values.” Whether or not fraternities and sororities are succeeding in promoting the right values has been a sub-
ject of debate after members of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at University of Oklahoma were filmed chanting a song filled with racial slurs and a private Facebook page for the Kappa Delta Rho fraternity at Penn State was found to contain pictures of naked and unconscious women in the fraternity house. Bullins said that these situations are not the norm for Greek communities. “Do I think there are situations across the country where a bad culture can infiltrate ... an entire organization? Yes,” Bullins said. “Do I think that the situation that we’ve seen most recently in Oklahoma represents fraternity and sorority men [and women] across this country? No.” In order for this to remain the case, members of the Greek community at the University are required to go through a risk reduc-
TENNIS CAPTAIN LOOKS AHEAD Junior Drew Fillis talks about season ending shoulder surgery following a program record year. Fillis hopes to return next season, push for MAC Championships. | PAGE 3
tion program once a semester tackling issues of diversity and inclusion, sexual assault, alcohol and drugs and mental health. Along with this, Bullins said Fraternity and Sorority Life has pushed to get the Greek community involved with initiatives such as It’s on Us campaign and Not In Our Town. President of Interfraternity Council Victor Senn said within the past two semesters the council has created its own delegate workshop series to educate members. So far the series has covered preventing sexual assault and exploring diversity and identity. “There’s obviously much more to be done,” Senn said, but members are “excited” about becoming more inclusive. Sydney Howell, treasurer of
See GREEK | Page 2
POWER OF FAITH
STEVEN W. ECHARD | THE BG NEWS
SAMANTHA KUZMIC and Matthew Brown dance during the Falcon Swing Society’s meeting.
Columnist Phil Schurrer bids farewell to a beloved nephew. He talks about how faith and trust in God have provided hope during his family’s time of grief. | PAGE 4
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN PRANKED ON APRIL FOOLS’ DAY? WHAT HAPPENED? “My friend put hair bleach in my shampoo.” Greg Southard Senior, Human Development and Family Studies