Minority leaders remain skeptics over promises
USG candidates pledge to work for minorities

By JENNIFER E. REITZ
Collegian Staff Writer

Student minority leaders have in mind many issues they would like the Undergraduate Student Government presidential candidates to tackle, but one concern echoes throughout all their organizations -- "Don't desert us after elections."

"Every year they come and try to get our endorsement, and then we never see them again. It would be nice if they asked for our endorsement and stuck by us," said Holly Bemiss, Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance political co-director.

Both candidates said that this time, things will change. Corey O'Brien plans to institute a liaison program that will pair representatives from the executive branch with leaders of minority organizations.

Josh Bokee wants to improve daily communications with the groups. He said that if elected, he will go back to the organizations and work with them to develop a program that is best for minority students.

"Some people say 'we want an open-door policy.' Forget about that -- we want a no-door policy. They shouldn't have to come to us. We should be going to them," he said.

But Ajay Nair, president of the Asian-American Student Coalition, said he has his doubts about the USG coming to minority organizations. If minority groups want to have a voice in the USG, Nair said, more minorities need to get directly involved.

"They're not going to come to us. We have to really permeate USG -- infiltrate the system. It's kind of what it comes down to," he said.

Claudia Delgado, president of Latino Caucus, would like to see the USG encourage minority students to apply for positions. Many minority students would feel uncomfortable being involved in what is often thought of as an "Anglo-organization," Delgado said.

Delgado said that the new president can play a role in helping minority students feel more open to being involved with student government.

Lack of minority involvement has been a problem for the USG, which is often viewed as a white, elitist organization, Bokee said.

"I don't feel comfortable discussing a policy when USG does not include the individuals who will be affected," O'Brien said.

Both candidates said they plan to work intensively to improve cultural diversity on the campus. Minority student leaders are hopeful, but say they have heard it before and not much has changed.

"Minority recruitment and retention -- we've been saying it for years and years and years and what?" Delgado said.