Houston Summers picks up out-of-state SBP endorsement

The Out-of-State Students Association (OSSA) decided to endorse Houston Summers after a debate between student body president candidates Monday night.

Summers, like the other two candidates, is from North Carolina. He has also been endorsed by A Drink for Tomorrow and the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies.

“He set high goals for Carolina and OSSA,” said Justin Stidham, co-political chairman of the organization. “He seemed enthusiastic to work with us.”

The group was concerned about the communication gap between out-of-state students and the current student government. All three candidates agreed the gap was a problem.

“There should be an open line of communication about policy issues that affect not just out-of-state students, but all students,” said candidate David Marsh. “(OSSA) especially should be included in the conversation because sometimes student government would be sitting around and talking about an issue, but wouldn’t necessarily know all perspectives.”

Both Summers and Kathryn Walker, the third candidate, believed there should be a campus leadership council and more focus groups to better represent students.

Summers said communication is only half of the equation. He said he would use his seat on the Board of Trustees to help keep UNC affordable for out-of-state students.

“I don’t think out-of-state students should have to worry about this place being too expensive,” he said. “I think keeping costs and tuition down is something we have to keep in mind.”

He wants to work with the Residence Hall Association and Carolina Dining Services to keep the cost of on-campus living affordable.

Walker said she wants to expand and support programs already in place, such as OSSA’s mentor program.

“It’s an idea of not working for you, but working with you,” she said. “I don’t like taking over what work you did. Instead, I want to make student government a resource you can use.”

The group was concerned about how candidates would help out-of-state students adapt to UNC. In addition to supporting the mentor advising program, Walker plans to offer an optional orientation for out-of-state freshmen.

“Out-of-state students should have their own optional orientation because they need to have a very much tailored orientation,” she said. “That and expanding the mentor advising program is a great way to learn a lot about what Carolina has to offer.”

The group’s executive committee said it is looking forward to working with whoever wins the election.

“Even though out-of-state students only make up 18 percent of the student body, it is a very important 18 percent.” Summers said. “They provide a different perspective that we as North Carolinians don’t necessarily have.”

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