Journalist: Gabby Burke (OSU)
At Wednesday’s opening session, multiple candidates for governor and lieutenant
governor expressed their desire to make modifications to the current OIL activity passes, mainly
citing cost, efficiency of activities and options for dining.
Each candidate offered varied insight about what they had planned regarding the changes.
Attorney General Howell (ALU), who is running for lieutenant governor, said he proposed an
elimination of the current activities that cost money. Instead, he proposed hosting free activity
nights at a hotel, with less costly activities and more of a focus on engaging with others. Sen.
Whittington (OSU) proposed a similar idea. While not directly stating a goal to eliminate all
costly activities, she also supported reducing the cost of activity events, encouraging activities
such as scavenger hunts or trivia nights.
While reducing the amount of spendy activities will potentially reduce the cost of activity
passes for delegates, there are other factors that could impact this, the largest being food. It is no
secret that eating isn’t cheap, especially when you eat out for most meals during the session.
Both lieutenant governor candidates outlined a goal of improving the food being provided, in
terms of both quantity, quality, and diversity. This means that any money saved in the elimination
of costly activities would be re-allocated into the food budget, and many delegates may not see a
noticeable difference in the cost of activity passes.
Those in opposition to this idea show concern about the networking and social aspects of
the organization taking a hit. Without the ability to connect with people outside of a professional
environment, there is concern that personal relationships may be cut for monetary costs.
Overall, all delegates are looking for the same things: decent dining options, continuing
functionality of the organization, and the friendships that come with attending sessions.
Regardless of the results of this election, OIL will continue to help build relationships, both
professional and personal, and get some different dining options, too!