Today’s edition of the The Retriever Weekly incorrectly states that VPSO candidate Brian Frazee did not respond to requests for comment. Frazee responded to TRW‘s e-mails and we failed to answer him. For the benefit of student voters and out of fairness to the candidate, we sent him a list of questions when the oversight was brought to our attention. Those questions and his responses are posted verbatim below:

The Retriever Weekly: You mention participation in several student orgs as proof of your readiness to serve. In what capacity did you serve in these orgs and what skills or experiences have you gained from them?

Brian Frazee: Over the past two years that I have been a student at UMBC, I have served as President of the Erickson Hall Community Action Board through the Resident Student Association (RSA), served as Vice President of the Political Science Council of Majors in the Fall 2008 semester, as a brother of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity since Spring 2008, as Assistant Director of Community & Governmental Affairs for the SGA my freshman year and currently as a Senator.  Being involved in these different organizations has given me exposure to a wide range of campus life and it has shown me the issues that student organizations face.  This is precisely why I decided to run for VPSO- because I have made connections with different student organizations on campus and know the issues and how to solve them.

TRW: Specifically what policies inhibiting student life would you like to have a role in changing and how would you go about this? How else would you benefit student orgs?

BR: The posting policy is a policy that inhibits student life on the UMBC campus.  Student organizations have to deal with strict rules when they attempt to advertise and recruit new members.  I will advocate for and lobby the administration to not only make the policy more lenient, but provide more spaces on campus where student organizations can advertise.  The main way I would benefit student organizations is helping them with fundraising.  Especially with the current economic crisis, funding has been more stringent.  As VPSO, I will connect and help student organizations fundraise.  A great way to do so is to use the Red Card Program to connect organizations with nearby businesses that can offer great discounts.  Additionally, streamlining the processes that student organizations go through will be a top priority.  Organizations should be able to go to the Commons to event planning, plan their event, develop their advertisements, and fill out the SGA allocation form all in one setting. 

TRW: Have you worked much with the Finance Board, Treasurer, and other SGA offices that have a strong influence on student orgs? What kind of relationship do you have with other candidates?

BR: I have attended several Finance Board meetings over the course of this year and have learned the inner workings of the board and their policies.  As someone who has been in SGA for two years, I know the inner workings of the organization and how to get things done.  I have worked with Finance Board members and the Treasurer to learn about the SGA budget, what challenges the budget presents to student organizations, and ways that we can solve those problems.  I have a positive relationship with all candidates for executive office and look forward to working with them for the benefit of students regardless of who gets elected;  We all want to make a positive impact on campus life.

 TRW: Because it is so new and still open to interpretation , do you plan to do anything to change or redefine the VPSO position?

BR: Another reason I decided to run for VPSO is the fact that the position has not been defined.  This position has so much potential to greatly benefit student organizations and campus life.  In addition to what I’ve already stated, I want to hire a large staff that will be dedicated to being a support network for student organizations and student life.  These students will be a mix of current SGA members as well as new people who are from outside the SGA.  I think that it is important to have both perspectives at the table.  My staff and I will attend student organizations meetings, help develop constitutions, develop and implement fundraisers, lobby the Finance Board for money, and streamline the bureaucracy that student organizations have to go through to get recognized and to obtain funding.  I also want to connect student organizations with the Red Card Program and be visible in the student organizations area in the Commons on a daily basis to serve as a resource for anyone who needs help.  My ultimate goal is to develop a campus culture where every undergraduate at UMBC is involved in at least one student organization that they are passionate about and feel that they can positively impact the UMBC campus. 

Please remember to exercise your right to vote April 20-22.