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OSG Elections:

The OSG Spring 2024 election is over, more information about next year’s election, including students running for President, Vice President, Vice President Pro-Tempore, and Senate will be included here. More information about current President Jack Marotz and Vice President Einberger can be found below.

Senate positions are still available on an appointment outside of an election cycle for qualified individuals wanting to represent the student body.

For more information, stop by the OSG Office or call at (920)424-3202: E-mail osg@uwosh.edu.

President/Vice President: Academic Year – 2024-2025

Jack Marotz – President | Year: Sophomore

Major: Biomedical/Biomolecular Chemistry

Organizations/Prior Experience:

President of Pre-Health Society – 2 Years

OSG At-Large Senator – 2 Years

University Honors Student Association Member – 2 Years

Brett Einberger – Vice Pres. | Year: Junior

Major: Information Systems

Organizations/Prior Experience:

Sigma Pi Fraternity Brother – 2 Years

Sigma Pi Fraternity Treasurer – A few months

OSG Greek Life Advocacy Senator – 1 Year

Campaign Statement:

Dear fellow students,

We are thrilled to be running for your OSG President and Vice President for the following school year. As we are committed to serving the student population of UW Oshkosh, we pledge to tirelessly advocate for your needs or concerns to foster a positive campus environment that is dedicated to student involvement and academic success for all students. Our values lie in the importance of nonpartisan advocacy, open communication, and diversity in leadership. Our goals for campus are to increase student admissions, retention, and involvement through increasing student organization allocations

without increasing tuition, and to restore the student resources that were lost due to academic staff layoffs and DEI changes by empowering student leadership through resources available to student organizations. We will also improve communication between the student body and OSG through reinstating student assembly and hosting informal office hours to allow students to come forward with their concerns for campus. We believe that our previous experience working on OSG senate and as executive board positions within other student organizations has adequately prepared us for the role. We look forward to working with the student body and collaborating with other shared governance groups on campus. Go Titans!

Why are you running for OSG President and Vice President?

We are running as OSG President and Vice President to act as advocates for the student body at UW Oshkosh in an unbiased, nonpartisan, and diverse cabinet focused on working with student organizations, other shared governance groups, and the student body at large to promote a positive and inclusive campus environment that promotes student involvement and academic success for all students. Our advocating demands open communication with the entirety of the student body and is quick to address arising concerns on campus to empower students.


What do you believe are the major issues affecting students?

We believe the key issues affecting campus are the decreasing enrollment and student retention, the recent setbacks to student resources, access to some key classes, and student organizations due to academic staff layoffs and DEI changes, and the lack of open communication regarding the desired direction of campus between administration, Oshkosh Student Government, and the student body at large. We also believe since the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been a gap in student involvement that we want to close through educating and promoting student organizations.

What would you like to see changed at UW Oshkosh?

On campus, we would like to see an increase in the amount of money available to student organizations to allow them to further establish a name for themselves and the university at large. We would also like to bring back some DEI staff positions in the form of student leaders to restore some of the previously lost roles in making campus a positive and inclusive environment for everyone. We would like to see the return of the Student Assembly and an improvement in communication between the Student Government and the student body. We would like to continue to advocate against closing the testing center for students using Project Success and to continue pushing for paper towels to be returned to residence halls.

How will you represent the entire student body?

We will actively work to represent the entirety of the student body by improving the communication between the students and Oshkosh Student Government by actively advertising the purpose of OSG and events we host, sending out biweekly newsletters with an attached form to submit your input on recent events or concerns, as well as starting biweekly informal meetings open to the student body with the purpose of keeping the representatives of the student body informed to issues on campus.

How do you feel your prior experiences have prepared you?

We believe our combined 3-year experience with Oshkosh Student Government and our positions as executive board members in other student organizations has adequately prepared us for OSG Executive Board membership. Along with general knowledge of how OSG and campus functions as one whole, we also have the experience and network to not just advocate for change, but also to work with academic staff to provide viable solutions to student concerns. We are fully confident that our diverse set of leadership experience and involvement has equipped us with the requisite skills to represent the entirety of the student body and to provide positive change within the campus.

Senate Candidates

Jesse Ramsey – At-Large Senator

Year in school: Sophomore

Major: Political Science / Economics

Student Organizations and Prior Experience:

  • OSG Senate At-Large
  • OSG Vice President Pro Tempore
  • Segregated Fee Committee Chair
  • Student Engagement Committee Chair

Campaign Statement:

Overall, I am running because of my love for both this university and for my passion for representation. What I enjoy the most about OSG is that it gives you the ability to grow as a person while helping your peers. I can promise that my passion for student government will only increase, and I want to use that passion to help you as an individual and as a student.

Why are you running for the OSG Senate?

I am running for senate again to continue the work that I have begun as Vice President Pro Tempore. I am running to establish an important precedent after helping to create our new constitution. I am running to continue supporting students and advocating for our students both locally and statewide. Most importantly, I am running to make OSG the best student government that it can be.

What do you believe are the major issues affecting students?

I feel that students are both seeking fair representation  while also feeling the after effects of the layoffs and seeing the impacts both inside and outside of the classroom. What was seen as Oshkosh is unlike anything seen at antler UW system college and our response as a student government has to be unique as well.

What would you like to see changed at UW Oshkosh?

Over the next academic year, I will push far more relationships with different organizations and departments on campus to reflect OSG’s role in improving the wellbeing of students. Whether it is student engagement, OSH can have a say.

How will you represent UW Oshkosh students in your Senator role?

I will represent UW Oshkosh Students by being a voice for every student and advocating for things that benefit every student. I’ve given a significant portion of my time in college representing as many students as possible and I don’t intend on changing that in my next term.

How do you feel your prior experiences have prepared you?

My time as both senator and Vice President Pro Tempore has given me a full scope in terms of student government. I can say with certainty that I understand the senate and will be able to utilize it to benefit students.

Sheldon Schroeder – Letters and Science Academic Senator

Year in school: Sophomore

Major: Biomedical Science

Student Organizations and Prior Experience:

  • OSG Senator
  • On Campus Biology Research
  • Dr. Merriman’s 13-Lined Ground Squirrel Research Lab
  • UWO Food Committee

Campaign Statement:

I will increase student engagement in UWO policy making and interacting with students on campus and listening to their concerns. I will use this information to make decisions that better the lives of my fellow students.

Why are you running for the OSG Senate?

I want to bring a voice to my fellow students. I will make sure their opinion is heard and acted upon.

What do you believe are the major issues affecting students?

Our problem at UWO is that students don’t know how much their voice matters. Students can make their opinions matter and I will make this the case. 

What would you like to see changed at UW Oshkosh?

I would like to improve student engagement in policy making at UWO.

How will you represent UW Oshkosh students in your Senator role?

I will spend time interacting with students on campus, listening to their concerns, making changes that benefit all.

How do you feel your prior experiences have prepared you?

I began as a Senator in Spring 2024. This role has prepared me for this campaign. I spend time doing research in different labs on campus and I will use this experience to best represent my fellow students.

Gabriel Medina – At-Large Senator

Year in school: Junior

Major: Bio-Medical

Student Organizations and Prior Experience:

  • Senate spring 2024

Campaign Statement:

As a Biomedical major I have felt many different effects of the recent budget cuts and faculty layoffs. I want to see if there can be improvements made for this department and others across campus.

Why are you running for the OSG Senate?

I am running for the OSG Senate because I want to help represent the student body on campus to make beneficial impacts.

What do you believe are the major issues affecting students?

I believe that students are being affected by the recent budget cuts and programs being canceled. For example, the testing center and individual testing rooms are no longer available.

What would you like to see changed at UW Oshkosh?

I would like to see more resources like the testing center and individual testing rooms brought back. I would also like to see better solutions brought for suggestions for UWO parking.

How will you represent UW Oshkosh students in your Senator role?

I will be able to share suggestions from students to the senate.

How do you feel your prior experiences have prepared you?

My current role on the senate is giving me great experience for making an impact.

Jonathan Bye – Non-Traditional Student Advocacy Senator

Year in school: Sophomore

Major: Anthropology

Student Organizations and Prior Experience:

  • Boy’s and Girl’s Club Brigade (Neenah/Menasha)
  • Theater Department
  • Drama Club
  • Camp Onaway

Campaign Statement:

By electing me as your non-traditional advocacy senator, I vow to participate vigorously in every single meeting, asking cutting deliberate questions about motions to ensure our unsung students’ perspectives are broadcast loud and articulately.

 Why are you running for the OSG Senate?

I’m running for Senate because I am a Senator this semester and have greatly appreciated being closer to the University system. I think it has been invaluable to hear the processing behind the administration and the many diverse voices of the student body.

What do you believe are the major issues affecting students?

The major issue affecting students is a drastic drop in morale following our institution’s budget deficit due to funding being cut from art programs and a lack of clear communication from administration regarding these academic changes.

What would you like to see changed at UW Oshkosh?

I would like to see more students willing to make their voices heard. The snowball of moral depletion from our budget crisis pushes students to feel less heard and less willing to express their dilemmas.

How will you represent UW Oshkosh students in your Senator role?

I will represent those non-traditional students on our campus who feel less compelled or have no time to spend all their time on campus, touching every square inch, but are equally if not more so affected by those changes coming down, obscured from their purview.

How do you feel your prior experiences have prepared you?

I have been a member of four theater departments suffering lack of funding and have always championed their continuance, never faltering in my belief in theater as part of the core of liberal arts education. I’ve also been a senator this semester and even lobbied at the state capital for UWO.

Jadyn Punzel – Fraternity and Sorority Life Advocacy Senator

Year in school: Sophomore

Major: Marketing / Sports Analysis

Student Organizations and Prior Experience:

  • President: United Students in residence Halls
  • Vice President of Social Responsibility: PHC
  • Member of Don Tay Hall Council
  • Member of Sigma Sigma Sigma
  • Member of Marking and Sales Club

 

Christopher Walker – Students with Disabilities Advocacy Senator

Year in school: Sophomore

Major: Public Relations / Honors College

Student Organizations and Prior Experience:

  • 22 Years Active Service US Army
  • Permanent Disabled Retired List
  • 100% P&T VA rated
  • 20 Years as rated Command Non-Commissioned Officer
  • 19K Armor Platoon Sergeant
  • Tank Commander
  • 79R Recruiter Station Commander
  • Chaplain Station Commander
  • Army Guidance Counselor
  • Awards: 2 Meritorious Service Medals, Kosovo Campaign Medal with On eStar, Humanitarian Medal
  • Forward Deployed to Germany
  • Member of the VFW
  • American Legion
  • AMVETS, NCOA, AUSA, AGCRA
  • US Cavalry and Armor Association
  • 4th Infantry (Ivy) Division Association
  • 1st Infantry (Big Red One) Division Association
  • SVA
  • National Honor Society
  • PRSSA
  • Society of Professional Journalists
  • American Advertising Federation
  • Catholic Missionary
  • Ordained Chaplain

Campaign Statement:

I am just a servant to my family, the people , God and country. I plan to do the hard right for a better future for all.

 Why are you running for the OSG Senate?

Well it is to continue what a group of disabled students have started to do.

What do you believe are the major issues affecting students?

Be able to afford school. Being able to succeed fully. Loss of funding. Loss of faculty. Feeling we are just being used for money. Having to do more with less. Normal societal issues that plague many communities. Know we are not heard.

What would you like to see changed at UW Oshkosh?

There are plenty of things, but it is the changes we will see soon that are the most important and currently in discussion with multiple levels of the UWO administration.

How will you represent UW Oshkosh students in your Senator role?

Three words; Be, Know, Do. To be able to represent, you have to know what the students want by listening to them, you have to know what it is like to live as a student, you have to know you have to be a selfless servant. Then you have to always do the hard right over the easy wrong. That you are not a ruler in positive but the voice of the students you represent. To be the backbone, to be the defender of all.

How do you feel your prior experiences have prepared you?

Alway be a person to speak up, speak out, get in the way. Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America like John Lewis said that we all should do. I am a soldier for life and live the creed of the Non-Commissioned Officer. “It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference.” – Tom Brokaw

Aspyn Rafac – Students with Disabilities Advocacy Senator

Year in school: Sophomore

Major: Political Science (Pre-Law)

Student Organizations and Prior Experience:

  • FCCLA Student Senate (2019-2021)
  • OSSA (Current)
  • Student Worker for Accessibility Center

Campaign Statement:

“As a student senate member, my campaign would aim to taking a more proactive approach to meeting students where they’re at in terms of their mental health and disability. Mental Health is an invisible disability that often leaves many students feeling alone, unacknowledged, and without resources. Information presented by the National Society of Leadership and Success shows that the current mental health epidemic is causing both lower retention rates and higher attempted suicide rates amongst college students following the Covid Epidemic in 2020. It will be my goal to educate and spread awareness to university faculty and staff of the changing culture surrounding the mental health and well-being of college students as well as to provide them with resources for successfully accommodating and supporting these students. In addition, the reach out campaign would introduce an initiative to effectively inform students of the resources that our campus provides and the importance of self-advocacy in continuing to push UW Oshkosh toward better inclusivity and accessibility moving forward.”

Why are you running for the OSG Senate?

It’s my aspiration to go to law school and one day become a legal advocate for disadvantaged populations. Advocacy work is something I am extremely passionate about and I felt that the DSG Senate would be a perfect opportunity for me to advocate for students of each and every background.

What do you believe are the major issues affecting students?

Mental health continues to be a growing and persistent issue with students today. The lasting effects of the Covid epidemic as well as rising statistics in gun violence, the Israel-Palestine conflict as well as the Russia-Ukraine conflict have all contributed to rising amounts of mental illness in college-aged students. In my opinion, this is the biggest major issue impacting students today.

What would you like to see changed at UW Oshkosh?

Students with disabilities as well as students struggling with mental illness are really struggling to get support from faculty on campus. Faculty can sometimes be apprehensive to be both inclusive and accommodating to these types of students. In addition, there seems to be a divide between students of different political backgrounds, religions, etc. I feel that this campus needs to advocate stronger for university-wide unity and acceptance.

How will you represent UW Oshkosh students in your Senator role?

As a multicultural, queer, student who has a disability, I find it very easy to be both empathetic and inclusive to my peers from all walks of life. I hope to be a representative for all students whose minority groups I am a part of and to represent those students of other identities and backgrounds. I plan to do this through compassion, intentional allyship, and an effort to make connections with these students.

How do you feel your prior experiences have prepared you?

Serving in the student Senate in High School as well as working in the UWO Accessibility Center now has taught me a lot about what it truly means to be an advocate in an authentic, proactive, and non-performative way.