Will Klatt has become a kind of fixture on the Ohio University campus, almost an establishment himself despite his anti-establishment views and rhetoric. Klatt is the face of “change” — change to the structure of governance, change to specific policies, change to the overall atmosphere of OU. With this in mind, The Post endorses Will Klatt for Student Senate president.
Klatt has been accused of being overly antagonistic, and this, at times, has been true. But Klatt came into the race this year with goals he describes as “more realistic,” and that “antagonistic” edge is what has allowed him to stand up and be a voice for constituent input into university decisions. We hope that he will be able to balance challenging administrators by working with them and that he will be neither a doormat nor merely an outlandish figurehead.
Klatt’s party, The Birthday Party, has three main platforms: checks and balances, OU’s alcohol and marijuana policies and the campus culture.
While it might not be easy, or even possible, to add constituent members to the Board of Trustees — as Klatt has suggested be done — checks and balances are an important part of governance. Student Senate should hold the administration accountable. This year’s senate has done this better than in previous years, but its members give up too easily. An example of this is the university president’s evaluation — though senators originally objected to the way it is conducted, they quickly quieted with a word from the trustees. Students need representation that won’t back down until the battle is truly over.
Klatt is right about the alcohol and marijuana policies — there needs to be some discretion in matching appropriate punishments with the level of offense. An empty can of Natural Light in your trash can is not the same as having a liquor store under the bed. Likewise, there’s a difference between “some drugs” and “a lot of drugs.” OU policies should reflect this, and it’s not unreasonable to ask administrators to re-evaluate them.
The culture on campus needs to be more inclusive, it’s true. The administration needs to stop ignoring its constituents. While it’s not likely that “suggestion-box governance” will ever be completely replaced, those “suggestions” need to be taken more seriously. Although Klatt doubts the prevalence of student apathy, we disagree — it is a real problem, and it’s caused at least in part by students feeling they have no real input.
Should Klatt be elected, he should consider what his opponents have said. Michael Adeyanju has experience working with the administration, and he is right when he says that “working relationships” are important, and that anger and antagonism are unlikely to get the senate very far, though we fear he might be too comfortable with administrators. Mashur Rahman has some good policy ideas, including creating a permanent athletic senator position. He’s also worked to get better student health insurance and international student housing. While some of these might be a bit narrow for the Student Senate president, Klatt should look into them. In fact, Klatt should remember his own complaints about the way commissioners were chosen last year and consider his opponents for those positions.
Klatt’s pledge to more realism and moderation is certainly a deciding factor. For him not to follow through on this would be a betrayal of the student body and those who cast their votes for him. The Post will expect accountability from Klatt, and this endorsement will be revoked if he is not fulfilling his pledges.
One of Klatt’s most promising traits, however, is how genuine he is. He really cares about his fellow students, and he truly believes he can make a difference at OU. As of yet, we have not reason to doubt his word. Will Klatt is the best choice for Student Senate president.
Reader Comments
Considering The Post has been a Klatt puppet all year this is not surprising in the least.
Klatt's platforms are pipe dreams. The Post first needs to realize that the Code of Conduct ALREADY delineates between "some drugs" (B level offense) and "a lot of drugs" such as dealer-worthy amounts (A level offense). And considering that Fall Quarter the administration buckled against their desires and took Senate's request regarding the alcohol and marijuana policies, why would they change it?
The other two pillars of his campaign are so vague that there's not much point in addressing them. As much as it would be nice, students will never achieve the same exact level of influence as administrators.
As much as anarchy may sound great, by electing the Birthday Party students will lose the little voice that they have. The administration will completely ignore Klatt and his party. A subtle approach is the only way to crack into the upper echelon of OU.
What a joke!
Actually, the two people above me are even more of a joke, than the post ever could be. I will explain it for you as well.
Rock The Vote – OU Spring 2008
Fact: Ohio University Junior Will Klatt (The Birthday Party president) said Student Senate has no power
Fact: Ohio University Junior Michael Adeyanju (AAA president) says Student Senate in fact, does, have power.
Fact: Power in student senate is not changing policy, but choosing the name of a dorm, to the president of AAA
Fact: The free speech zone protest, held last year by SDS, was a protest against policy that is in direct contradiction of the Bill Of Rights (first amendment).
Athens News: “When Will Klatt said that Student Senate has no power, you disagreed and said that Student Senate definitely does have power. Why do you believe that?”
Michael Adeyanju (AAA president): “I believe that they have power because I sat on Student Senate last year, and I saw what it takes to make change. It’s about having those working relationships, you know. I went to the Office of Student Affairs when the new dorm was being built, and I asked if I could take it upon myself and draft a committee to get a list of names submitted to them, the board, and they said go ahead and do it, and we did, and that’s how the name came about. That’s why it’s named Adams Hall.”
Athens News: “You and your supporters said that the protests Will Klatt and the SDS organized to hold administrators accountable only brought negative media coverage to the university. Why will your approach work better?
Michael Adeyanju (AAA president): “I’m not going to say that holding protests or demonstrations is negative, because sometimes that’s what you have to do, but that should be a last resort ... If you just keep doing protest after protest, then people are going to look at this university and think that people are out of control and nothing is being accomplished.“
Union workers unfairly losing jobs for more administrators = should be protested on last resort to him?
Iraq War, Tibet etc. = should be protested on last resort to him?
Free speech zone policy being completely unconstitutional = should be protested on last resort to him?
Athens News: “Klatt’s biting critique of OU’s administrative system is nothing new. As a founding member of the OU chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), he organized demonstrations against “free-speech zones” on campus, and last spring helped put the historic “no-confidence” vote on the Student Senate referendum. A majority of OU students voted that they did not have confidence in McDavis and the OU administration.”
Michael Adeyanju (AAA president): “He has done nothing in his three years here… except hold protests with nothing resulting from them,”
Fact: The above statement 100% false. The free speech zone policy was changed on March 26th, 2008, but Adeynaju is not with the times here at OU. There is no way, SDS, did not influence the new policy, which is much less restricting than the old one.
Where was Adeyanju when they were protesting for change last year? My guess is he thought, “this takes time”, as stated from his debate, and nothing could be done. Will helped get something done, he has a history of getting stuff done, and the birthday party will change this campus for the better.
AAA is a joke, as seen by its leader. I tried to talk to them about it in their facebook group, where my wall posts were deleted and I was kicked out of the group just for stating the above. Censorship and misinformed voted prevail with AAA. anyways, here is the link to the group, http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=14316098633 where censorship and misinformed votes prevail.
About the free speech thing, I wrote in some more detail about it, just so you can see how incompetent AAA's leader really is.
Klatt’s biting critique of OU’s administrative system is nothing new. As a founding member of the OU chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), he organized demonstrations against “free-speech zones” on campus, and last spring helped put the historic “no-confidence” vote on the Student Senate referendum. A majority of OU students voted that they did not have confidence in McDavis and the OU administration.
Direct Quote. Notice the free-speech-zones reference.
“He has done nothing in his three years here… except hold protests with nothing resulting from them,” Adeyanju said.
Direct quote again, but 100% false. The free speech zone policy was changed on March 26th, 2008, but I guess Adeynaju is not with the times here at OU. There is no way, SDS, did not influence the new policy, which is much less restricting than the old one.
Where was Adeyanju when they were protesting for change last year? My guess is he thought “this takes time”, as stated from his debate, and nothing could be done. They got something done, they have a history of getting stuff done, and the birthday party will change this campus for the better. I write from an independent point of view, as I will not be returning next year.
Here is the link to the new "Use of Outdoor Space on the Athens Campus" policy. Be informed, vote, and make your own decisions. Do whats best for OU.
http://www.ohiou.edu/policy/24-016.html
The other non AAA president, while having good ideas, does not have the local experience to follow through. He also has changed very little impactful things around campus as of now. He may be a great person, but in politics you need much more.
Before you make baseless, fact less arguments like the ones above, stop, research and think. It's not that hard, I promise.
Fact: Will Klatt is on the FBI's terrorist watch list
WILL KLATT: "My name is Will Klatt. I was a high school senior when we -- the Columbus Student Network helped organize the anti-war demonstration down at the statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. There were students, you know, like organizers as young as like 12 to 18. I was a senior, and we had no idea that the F.B.I. had listed us as a threat to, like, the state or whatever. It's just like a complete shock that, like, peaceful protests and dissent can be viewed as a threat by our own government."
Google search: Will Klatt terrorist watch list fbi
WILL KLATT: www.albasrah.net/en_articles_2005/1205/GI%20Special%203D49-This%20Is%20All%20Senseless_191205.htm -
He sounds like a great student representative.
"peaceful protesters" do not end up on the terrorist watch list.
The Free Speech Policy was not changed due to SDS. It was changed because people from Senate went to the Dean of Students and the VP of Student Affairs and said lets sit down and re do it. Show me some facts that shows Klatt attended any of those meetings and I will say that he can use that as an accomplishment.
Matter of fact show me any meetings that suggest he has accomplished anything on this campus because he hasn't. He got his vote of no confidence but hey our president is still here, matter of fact he'll be here for five more years, so congratulations Klatt you showed him and the BOT.
AAA and Adeyanju are right! Klatt hasn't done anything, and the person two comments above is just cutting and pasting statements to make it sounds like AAA is not going to do anything. All that person is doing is strictly spin, just like Alex Kressler is doing on the Birthday Party wall. Maybe he should be the one who gets informed.
everyone should chill out, the last thing we need going into next years election is petty infighting. folks should just let the election run its course without all the personal attacks. lets keep the election focused on the issues.
ha terrorism!
I think it's pretty funny that Curt runs in to tell everyone that Will is a terrorist. At this point it almost seems like a last ditch effort to make him look bad.
If AAA wins the election, things will probably go just about the same as they are now. But as a center of higher learning, stagnation is about the last thing we want. The Birthday Party is going to change the way we look at the senate and show the administration that we want change.
I think the choice is clear.
First, it does not bother me that annexisthekey used my first name. If I wanted to hide my identity I would have used a more clever username.
Second, while I do support AAA slightly over The Birthday Party, I do not think that the election of The Birthday Party would be the end of the world just the end of student senate; which might be a good thing.. I think before Senate can ever regain where it once was under Brian Footer and be reborn it must first die. Senate would die much faster under Klatt than Michael for a few reasons but the main one is because when we elect our execs we are also electing the future of senate. The execs pcik an intern director who will find freshmen, get them to join senate, and teach them the ins and outs of the unviersity. Michael will probably pick an intern director who is of the same make of the past few we have had (ie a fun person with limited knowledge of the university and more concerned about team unity than actual work). While I don't know who Will will pick to be intern director, my guess is that it will be a person who has even less experience with unviersity structure or senate structure than the AAA pick; thus leading to a complete collapse of senate only to be reborn by people like Brian Footer.
Finally, I find it utterly horrific that the next Student Senate President is on the FBI's terrorist watch list. Don't you see a problem with this?
I hope CNASH isnt serious and thinks the FBI's watch list is legit. Please read http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/06/fbi_terror_watc.html "FBI Terror Watch List 'Out of Control'" and "U.S. Watch List at Record High, FBI Confirms" http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2008/02/us-watch-list-a.html
From a simple google search "fbi terror watch list" peace out be informed...
Ugh, CNash has the kind of mentality you expect from people who believe the government actually "red flags" books about "controversial" subjects in public libraries.
Aside from that... *yawn*
first, will is on an fbi watch list...don't forget that.
second, you are misleading the public. "It grows seemingly without control or limitation," said ACLU senior legislative counsel Tim Sparapani of the terrorism watch list. Your other quotes are also form the ACLU. Yes, the ACLU believes the terror watch list is growing too fast because they are against any such list. Also...duh the list would be growing at a fast rate sense we just recently began to take notice of global terrorism and put a bright light on the problem.
curiosityandthecate...i dont give two shits what you read at the library but i do care about individuals who take part in war protests that threaten national security. i have been to d.c. to see an iraq war protest and these people were not peacful. their actions and words were violent towards all people in the government whether democrat or republican and can not be tolerated.
"curiosityandthecate...i dont give two shits what you read at the library"
stop being ignorant, our college education is based upon the books which have layed in libraries for centuries. no ifs ands or buts.
yes, i agree; books are important but i dont care what curiosity reads. what is ignorant about that? do you care what i read? or are you claiming that i am ignorant because i dont have a problem with violent war protestors being placed on a watch list (which you tried to defend and failed to do so as i pointed out earlier)?
ALSO...we have gotten away from what we should be talking about and that is whether or not Klatt is the best pick to be Student Senate President. Klatt being on the watch list is a valid issue that should be brought to light but it has not been the only issue I have brought up to suggest he is not the best candidate. Let us partake in a debate/discussion with this in mind.
You missed my point completely, CNash, but that's okay.
If Klatt is on the FBI's "watch list" (and before I pass judgment upon anyone on that list, I'd like to see what criteria are required for inclusion) for being at an anti-war rally, then he sounds like someone I'd like to promote. It means he has views he is willing to stand behind, even if it means going against the grain.
Yeah, I can see why you'd want to prevent a person who is willing to dissent from attaining a position of leadership. Who wants dissenters, anyway? We should really just sit back and be good little proles.
curiosity: you are correct, I did miss your point from your earlier post; but the point still remains that will must have created some threat to be placed on the list. i'm sure that just being at a protest does not get you on the list. i would imagine that who have to do something extreme or threatening.
its not a matter of dissent. i have many friends that dislike and want out of the war but they, probably like you, would not be willing to use violence to protest the war. i would imagine you would not suppor that kind of violence. or am i assuming too much?
finally, while this is an interesting back and fourth; it is only meaningful if we put it in the context of the student senate election. So, again, what would that say about OU if we elect a student senate president who is on the terror watch list? I think it would be a bad thing. Do you think that it would be a good thing, bad thing, doen't matter, or am I asking the wrong question?
I would again ask what qualifications are needed to be included on such a list. Also, I would like to know if the authorities involved were responding to the protesters' violence, or if the protesters were responding to an over zealous police force.
This is an assumption on my part, but I'm going for it anyway: when one or two people at a rally become violent or out of control, they are not the only people to be arrested. Anyone around them will likely also be subdued and hauled away. When police are reacting to what they consider to be a riot-like (as silly as that may sound) situation, they are generally not choosy about who they slap cuffs on.
Also, we're not talking about someone who has (another assumption here, but a safe one, I would imagine) upper-echelon Al Queda operatives on his buddy list. Osama Bin Ladin doesn't check his Twitter status, know what I mean? In a time when the government is slapping the TERRORISM stamp on every piece of red tape they throw up on what used to be called "civil liberties," the lines become blurred. In the spirit of taking no chances, they're likely to, as a precaution, "watch" anyone connected to anti-war (which is unfortunately equated with pro-terrorism) rallies and the like. It's akin to the BMV announcing that all moving violations will result in license suspension because of an alarmingly high rate of reckless ops and OMVIs. Then, you roll through a stop sign, get a ticket, lose your license, and boom, you're on the same list as some drunk who drives 70 through a school zone at 3 o'clock.
Everything is shades of gray now. Understand that it's not "us and them" anymore. Speaking in absolutes, and assuming that "terror watch list" means "belt of dynamite" rather than "stood next to the wrong guy at a rally" won't get us anywhere. Hell, maybe I'm on the terror watch list for saying these things. And know what that means? Either that list is really, really useless, or our government has lost its mind.
Again.
@ ourocks - You asked about Will and his participation in the drafting of the new Free Speech Policy. While Will didn't attend all of the meetings, he was a member of the group that became known as the free speech committee (for lack of a better term) which was made up of members of Student Senate, Graduate Student Senate, SDS, and other campus activists. As a member of the committee, I can tell you that will did attend some of the meetings, and that representatives of SDS were at almost every meeting. Will and other SDS members also met with Dean Hogan and VP Smith about the policy. Will was also the person that took the lead in looking into the free speech policy and the laws as they currently stand at OU. It's because of Will and SDS that the Free Speech Committee formed in the first place.
curiosity: i guess you also believe in moral relativism. give me a break.
Giving Klatt a break is exactly what I'm suggesting.
"Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral." -Freire
I agree with Curiosity. CNash, you've emphasized over and over again that Klatt is on this list. Can you please provide us with information that may at least provide some clues as to why he is listed?
If it turns out that he did indeed do something violent, threatening and/or dangerous then you're right, that is information that should be taken into consideration.
But if all we know is that he's on a list, what does it matter? He could also be on my Christmas list and it would have about as much bearing on this election as far as I'm concerned.
Christmas CARD list*. Klatt on my Christmas list just sounds creeperific.
Baaaahahaha. Don't forget to poke holes in the box. ;)
whatever. will is still on the watch list. the student body is more than likely going to put him in office. he will get nothing done. the future of senate will become even bleeker. and it is an embarrasment to this university that many think the best choice for student senate president is will.
oh, and your little quote is from a modern marxist...figures you would use a communist to make a point.
finally, why are you so willing to give will a break? if you are going to be skeptical of those in "power", why would you not want to take a closer look at will? double standard?
People forget that there is another party running in this election. ACT OU is neither the puppet of the administration or radical. They will be able to provide the changes this university needs. Moreover, they have the most comprehensive platform with specific plan of action. Neither Adeyanju or Klatt has been able to change things over the past couple of years. I think it is time for the new kid in the block.
if folks are interested here are the details about the supposed "terror list"
a) i was not personally listed, the columbus student network was listed, along with 400 other anti war organizations that were active at the time. it was a list compiled of all active anti war organizations. the columbus student network was a completely nonviolent organization
b) the columbus student network was a grass roots anti racist organization that fought for a better public schooling program in the inner city of columbus, we organized demonstrations against the war, and fought for the rights of the LGBT community in public schools. we were successful in ending the AU school district policy of suspending students for wearing "gay fine by me" t shits.
c) im darn proud of my role as chair of the columbus student network for 3 years, at our hight around the 2004 election we had chapters at 15 schools, organized thousands of students to vote in the election, and we were one of the lone voices on the left calling for an end to the iraq war.
i look forward to working with all sides in next years senate.
i'm glad to see that will wasnt personally listed on the terror watch list but rather a group that he was chair of for three years and of which he is "darn proud of"...i don't see much of a difference here. if will is the best we can do, God help us. i'm glad i am done with this university come june.
Well, looks like this has been settled. CNash, as for your suggestion that I'm laboring under a double standard, I'll repeat what I said in my 2nd post: "before I pass judgment upon anyone on that list, I'd like to see what criteria are required for inclusion".
Now we know what Will did to be (indirectly) included on the list. Anything else is academic. Try to see outside your Red Scare type mentality of fear and just make an attempt at skepticism. It could serve you well after June.
CNash you remind me of president bush, yes that is an insult sorry. CNASH what did you accomplish for other's rights in high school, let alone college? Fear never wins.
"other's rights" what are those...oh that's right, conservatives don't care about others...duh...how silly of me.
hmm, well to not bore you with all of my resume. i spent a spring break down in new orleans after katrina helping to rebuild, i sat on university hearing boards as a student member where I helped put students in a situation where they could grow and be successful, as an ra i stood up for all students who felt their voices where not welcome, i was a peer mentor where i helped first years transition into college life...i could go on...but what would be the point. conservatives can do no good, right?
Let me preface this by saying that I realize nothing I say will change anybody’s mind and I also recognize all if any readers of this reply are already seriously dug into their senate parties already.
As a good friend of Adeyanju I’m somewhat embarrassed about the defense given in his name and the name of his platform.
Firstly, the terrorist issue here makes me cringe. Frankly, when I was an incoming freshman and I picked up a newspaper that detailed Klatt and his terrorist watch list status I was impressed- and maybe a little jealous. Arguing over the legitimacy of Klatt’s terror status is ridiculous especially for a university senate campaign. I’m sad to see that McCarthyish accusations are a part of OU Senate campaigning. Will should be proud of any impact he’s had in the past whether or not that landed him on some bogus government watch list.
Furthermore attacking the practice of protesting is shocking. There is no need for me to explain why.
I support Adeyanju in this election because I honestly believe that senate is built for his style of leadership. That does not mean there isn’t a place for Klatt’s. Both have had success as student leaders in the past at OU, and both can continue that success. For Klatt’s goals, he doesn’t need senate. Though judging by the fact that he’s running for senate I’m sure he would disagree, but I think he’s had success as a student organizer and a student voice on campus. To me his rhetoric suggests he would be more effective following along the path he has rather then trying to use senate as a podium for his beliefs.
As far as the alcohol and marijuana policies go, the ship has sailed. Until OU loses its party school image nothing students do or say is going to ease up the rules. In fact, the administration, through VP Smith, came to senate and actively worked with them before implementing the current pot policy. I see this as get your base out to the polls strategy a la the gay marriage ban law that so effectively brought the conservative base to the voting box a few years ago. I don’t believe that is the intention of the party but I see it as the result.
I think Klatt’s most important goal is that of shared governance and checks and balances. It seems all three parties have taken up this cause to some degree and it’s an important one. Senates past have brought up this issue as well- in fact after discussion with the 06-07 trustees they reported back that they themselves did not think it was a good idea to have voting power on the board citing transition periods and difficulties keeping up with all the positions responsibilities. The main problem with students is we are small blocks on a large time scale. We have to understand that the administration is not out to screw us over. They are here and working hard to improve the university just as we would like to see improvements. The idea that students aren’t in their best interest is an erroneous one. Their job is to pack the seats in every class by creating and maintaining a positive environment for students. In return they receive fat checks. Senate is a way the university hears our concerns and thus it is important to use the body given to us effectively. Whether it has real power or not is debatable, but it does have influence. I do believe Adeyanju has the know how and will to fight for the students using this institution.
The bottom line is I’m sure few people have even made it this far three days later but just lighten up a little. It would be hard to convince me that our goals as students were really much different from one another. We all want the same things and we are all here to have a positive experience so hopefully we can keep it that way. I’m sure every party will be represented next year and working relationships with each other are just as important as those with the administration. Good luck to everyone next year and hopefully senate can make some positive changes.
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