OU’s Campus Activities Council held a debate and forum to survey the executive chair candidates' platforms Tuesday evening in Dale Hall.
Executive chair candidate Kennedy Corbin has been involved with CAC for three years, and has served as the CAC Speakers Bureau chair for two years. She said that during her time with CAC she has grown as a leader, built friendships and learned ways CAC could improve.
Executive chair candidate Hanaa Saidi has also been involved with CAC for three years and serves as the High School Leadership Conference chair. Throughout her time with CAC, she said she has grown professionally and socially.
Corbin and Saidi introduced their campaign platforms and answered predetermined questions during the forum.
Corbin’s platform is called SPARK, which stands for selling CAC to everyone, positive progress in finances, accessibility for students and registered student organizations, retention and engagement and knowing the people.
Corbin had many ideas for implementing aspects of her campaign platform, including promoting CAC during campus tours, securing corporate sponsorships and organizing an appreciation week.
Saidi’s campaign is Think BOLD. BOLD stands for boost applicant accessibility and member retention, obtainability and education for student resources, longevity among CAC groups and maintaining traditions, and diversity in CAC organizations and representation of students on campus.
Saidi spoke about connecting students with campus resources, generating interest for CAC meetings and empowering students to be involved.
“Certain events have a really unique opportunity to be some people’s favorite events and most memorable chances to participate,” Saidi said.
During the time for questions, the candidates were asked how serving as chair of a CAC event would prepare them to be CAC executive chair.
Saidi said her time as the High School Leadership Conference chair taught her to think and problem solve quickly while working with the many different people on her committee. The High School Leadership Conference is a three-day conference at OU for high school juniors around the nation.
“You have to be watching out for all the people who are on your committee, as well as the people who are benefiting from your event,” Saidi said. “And I think that’s something I’ve really been able to strengthen in myself.”
Corbin said she has learned to thrive under stressful situations, develop a diverse community and connect with many campus organizations as Speakers Bureau chair. Speakers Bureau brings various speakers to campus for free events.
“CAC really is a unique organization in how it’s put together,” Corbin said. “So many different people from different backgrounds try to, at the end of the day, create fun events for people to engage with.”
The candidates were also asked about how they would encourage involvement and how they react to the phrase “involvement is dying on campus.”
Corbin said that involvement has been dying since COVID-19, and she wants to increase CAC involvement beyond what it was before the pandemic.
As chair, Corbin said she would reach out to students to ask what events they want CAC to plan. By accommodating students, she said “they can have the best experience on campus.”
Saidi disagrees and said that saying involvement is dying is “doing a disservice to the people who are already part of those events.” Saidi said the pandemic cannot be an excuse for low numbers.
To encourage involvement, Saidi said she would highlight the 13 events CAC currently offers without altering them to accommodate student opinions.
“You have to remember, these are legacy events,” Saidi said. “You can’t change things too much.”
When asked about how CAC funding should be allotted, both candidates agreed funding should vary based on the event.
“When it comes to funding, it should be based off of how much the impact of the event has as well as what all the expenses would be to begin with,” Corbin said.
The candidates were then asked which of their platform points they would implement if they could only choose one. Both chose points that aim to increase involvement in CAC.
Finally, the candidates were asked how they would carry out their platforms if elected.
“I think the first foundation for anything you want to start is you have to have a good team backing you up,” Corbin said.
Corbin said she would encourage qualified and passionate people to run for leadership positions. Working with a strong group, Corbin said CAC could accomplish anything.
Saidi said she would need the support of CAC’s general council and that she is dedicated to respecting and appreciating that group.
“Promoting that community engagement and knowing that people on campus are having fun at our events, that’s what Campus Activities Council is for,” Saidi said.
Voting for CAC executive chair will be open April 2-3 on ENGAGE.
This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure and Ismael Lele. Sophie Hemker and Grace Rhodes copy edited this story.
