Campus

Tommy Owens for ASUC Senate

Longtime BCR member takes on the ASUC

By Christopher Page
From the April 2008 Print Edition

California Patriot: What are your top three goals for the ASUC in the upcoming year?

Tommy Owens: We should engage in more aggressive textbook-price negotiations, reduce student fees, and limit the scope of our debates. Approximately 10,000 voters showed up to the polls last year. Were their interests served by the bickering and grandstanding? I think not.

CP: What is your view on ASUC spending? How can it be improved?

TO: The ASUC budget, which is about $1.5 million, needs to represent all students, not just those student groups who can protest the loudest for it. I’m all for diversity, believe me, but perhaps we should transcend ethnic diversity and look into ideological diversity. We are in academia, after all. Students should come to UC Berkeley to learn, not spend all day protesting or living up in trees.

CP: How will you represent Republican students in the ASUC Senate?

TO: I would bring a conservative values-system to Eshleman. We must limit the size of government by limiting the scope of our governmental intentions. We cannot end the war in Iraq, but we can lower textbook costs. We cannot end racism in the United States, but we can build a nonpartisan coalition to make sure that all student voices, be they liberal or conservative, are heard.

CP: How will you represent those students who are not Republican?

TO: You need not be a Republican, conservative, or libertarian to support my candidacy. Much of my platform is about student issues, not necessarily partisan ones. I think BCR needs to be more generously funded, and we need to recognize the value of the Marines and the ROTC on and around campus, but beyond that we need to address student concerns, not grandstand for our own resumes.

CP: Do you think the ASUC truly represents all students and their concerns?

TO: Absolutely not. Not when barely a third of students vote. The number of students active in campus politics is probably even less than that. Perhaps some of that is our own fault, but the ASUC is not making things easier by passing meaningless bills and debating about things that do not affect students.

CP: What motivated you to run for a spot in the senate?

TO: I was inspired last year working as a campaign manager. I saw what a hard task it was, how much work and energy it takes, and I saw that people really care about the issues, be they local or not. I love the Berkeley College Republicans. I’ve been a member of the club for nearly three years now. I strongly believe this is the best way to serve my club and my constituencies.

CP: Are there any ASUC programs you would like to see expanded or enhanced?

TO: We’ve had a good start with the Greek Opportunity Fund. Most senators are pretty generous when it comes to a fraternity or sorority philanthropy event, but houses on campus are still struggling to serve the community in the best possible way they can. Greek spending must increase, not only to help us help the community, but also to stop the recent decline in Greek membership. Greeks are some of the most generous alumni donors, by the way.

CP: Any final thoughts?

TO: Tommy “TKO” Owens for ASUC Senate. Let’s TKO the high costs and the hippie protests! Go Bears!

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