Current incumbent Mia Jorgensen's position as University Council Student Representative is being challenged by junior business major Daniel Ovadia.
Ovadia, a 24-year-old from Long Island, advocates a campaign that requires better outreach and feedback regarding student issues as vital to the position of student representative. Ovadia believes his experience as a member of many student organizations and his status as an undergrad will best serve UB students, in comparison with Jorgensen, who is a graduate student.
Ovadia believes it is his student government experience that makes him the most qualified candidate.
"Through my affiliation with SA and student government as a whole, I've had the opportunity to meet with students and administrators and professionals," Ovadia said. "I feel like the University Council Representative is somebody who needs to be in the middle."
If elected, Ovadia promises to provide greater discourse between students and the council, and he stated that he plans to personally submit summaries of the council meetings to student organizations. Ovadia believes that such an effort would expand the wealth of information relayed to the student body.
According to Ovadia, Jorgensen is at a disadvantage because she is a graduate student. Ovadia feel it's imperative for the next student representative to have a close connection with the student majority, considering that UB is made up primarily of undergraduate students.
A link to each candidate's platform is listed in the UB Student Affairs website. Ovadia's platform exhibits his substance as a candidate, and it highlights many examples of his student participation.
Ovadia has been active in the Undergraduate Student Association, Student Life, Alumni Association, Campus Living, New Student Programs, and the Undergraduate Academies since he arrived at UB in Fall 2009.
"Throughout my time at UB I have personally sought to be an engaged and active member of the university community but more importantly, I have always looked to get others involved," Ovadia wrote in his platform.
One of Ovadia's major goals is to enhance the visibility of the student representative.
"It's interesting because [the council] actually records all their meetings and posts them online," Ovadia said. "And I don't think many people have ever seen those videos or even know that those videos exist."
Ovadia believes if he wins the election, he will be a "visionary" and an "inspired" representative in the council. Ovadia has tried to show throughout his campaign that he carries full knowledge of the potential benefit of the council for students.
"It's amazing that when our school is making major decisions, they want to hear the student voice - that is remarkable," Ovadia said. "For me, to be that voice, for me to be the liaison between the student and the council, is a very serious role."
Email: news@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
