Becca Yanez (OU)
April 17th 2021- The Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature ALU (At-Large University) position elections have been taking place during the spring 2021 session. At-Large University delegates are appointed or elected and become state officers who do not compete under their home delegations.
The Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature’s senate chamber just had their election for the 2021-2022 academic year. Offices included President Pro Tempore and Deputy President Pro Tempore. In total, three candidates ran for ALU senate leadership. In the President Pro Tempore race, current Deputy Pres. Pro Jonathan Curtis ran uncontested. Curtis was nominated by University of Oklahoma senate delegate Tessla Brewer. The nomination was seconded by Tulsa University Senate delegate Evan Shaw. In Jonathan’s acceptance speech, he talks about his goals and desires for the senate and O.I.L in general.
“Serving as your deputy president pro tempore has been your honor. It is the biggest honor of my life so far to hopefully serve as your president pro tempore and hopefully your in person president pro tempore,” Curtis said.
University of Oklahoma senate delegate Connor Boren moved to accept nomination of Curtis by unanimous consent due to the race being uncontested. The Deputy Pres.Pro election officially began immediately after. Brewer nominated Judiciary chair Kale Parker and the nomination was seconded by Secretary Vo. Senator Turner nominated Senator Fenderson from Oklahoma State University which was seconded by Senator Boudreau from OSU. Ultimately, Parker won the Deputy Pres.Pro election.
The house chamber also had their own leadership elections for the 2021-2022 academic year. In the Speaker position, OSU’s representative Deirdre Habrison and incumbent Speaker Ashley Schultz ran for the position of Speaker of the House. Oklahoma Baptist University assistant floor leader Grace Minter ran unopposed for the Speaker Pro tempore position. Speaker Schultz ultimately won the speaker election.
Though elections certainly have looked very different this year in comparison to previous sessions, it has proven to still be an aspect of session where delegates have bonded together, even when they are not physically near each other. Candidates in the house have heavily utilized social media for their campaigns, which is unlike campaigns for ALU positions in the past. Virtual session even through elections has the potential to set a precedent.