Undergraduate Student Government

Senator

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• Name:
  Ben Mapa
• Major:
  Molecular Genetics
• Year:
  Sophomore
• Slate:
  Working For You
• Website:
  http://www.workingforyouosu.com
• Constituency:
  College of Biological Sciences
• Image:
• Question 1:How would you make sure your constituents know who you are and how they can contact you?
  I want to be in close contact with presidents (or officers) of student organizations that are associated with my constituency. I intend on living in the Biological Sciences Scholars dorm (Barrett House) next year. It would make it easier for those in my constituency to contact me easily and what better way to find the biology senator than to look in the Biology Scholars dorm.
• Question 2:How do you respond to accusations that joining USG senate is all about resume padding?
  If this is resume padding, then any organization is resume padding. I’m doing what I want to do; that is, participating in a mock legislature to improve my communication, leadership, and organizational skills. Ohio State has 1000 organizations. I wish I could find another organization that can help me build those skills as well as USG has. As far as senate, there has to be a body that represents colleges and living areas to come together and discuss issues revolving around undergraduates. There isn’t much restriction on who can go to senate. Senate meetings are open to the public and anyone can run for the position of senator.
• Question 3:How would you like to see USG improve?
  First off, to increase senator oversight, I hope to televise senate meetings on Buckeye TV. This will create a professional environment due to the public being able to see the inner workings of the government they elected. This also shows how USG senate functions for those who can’t attend meetings. This increased accountability can show that senate is a professional body that works for the students. Next, every single year, the senate excludes thousands of freshmen from having a voice. I hope to create a freshman senate seat that provides a voice for the incoming class. Last, to increase cohesion between the legislature and the executive, there should be increased cooperation and communication between the two. One of the problems of previous years is that not everyone knows each other. I hope to create a retreat for USG, integrating members of the cabinet and senate.
• Question 4: Pick a ballot initiative, state your position and explain why you hold that position.
  None
• Question 5:What is your least favorite day of the year; and why?
  Daylight savings day is my least favorite day (adding one hour). I don’t like losing one hour of sleep and having a 23-hour day. But I’m willing to acknowledge its purposes to save energy and I don’t mind losing an hour of sleep if it means saving an hour of energy used for light bulbs.
• Ledger:
  None