On March 12, the Oakland University Student Congress (OUSC) announced the candidates for the upcoming election. Presidential slates can include a presidential candidate, a vice-presidential candidate, a speaker of the legislature candidate and a legislator candidate.
Voting will start on March 31 and run until April 4. Here are the three presidential and vice-presidential tickets, listed alphabetically.
Johnson-Matthews Slate
Marcus Johnson is the presidential candidate, Nia Matthews is the vice-presidential candidate and Mackenzie Smith is the legislator candidate.
Johnson is a junior majoring in political science. He has served as a legislator for OUSC since Sept. 2023 and currently serves as speaker of the legislature since Apr. 2024. Johnson has also held previous titles, including former legislative majority leader and parliamentarian.
Outside of OUSC, Johnson is a member of the OU NAACP Reorganization Committee, a student member of the Campus Master Planning Steering Committee and a member of the University Senate Committee on Classroom Use and Academic Scheduling.
Matthews is a junior majoring in film production and serves as the interim chair for the Student Activities Funding Board (SAFB) and served as the former director of outreach for SAFB. Smith is a sophomore majoring in Political Science and is a current legislator for OUSC and an assistant for the First Year Advising Center (FYAC).
“We’ve all been deeply involved in student leadership, from serving in Congress to working with student organizations, and we have firsthand experience with both the successes and challenges that students face. Whether by improving transparency, advocating for commuter support, expanding DEI initiatives, or enhancing campus resources, we are committed to ensuring every student’s voice is heard and valued. We’re running to build a student government that is accessible, action-driven, and truly representative of the diverse needs of OU students,” the slate said.
In terms of specific issues, key priorities include transparency and communication, equal opportunity and success for all, academic support and affordability.
The platform is advocating for issues, including “Ensuring that students have easy access to Congress meetings and minutes, financial records, and initiatives; so they know what’s happening and how their concerns are being addressed … Strengthening support for the Center for Multicultural Initiatives (CMI), Gender & Sexuality Center (GSC), Disability Support Services (DSS), and Veteran Student Services … Advocating for 24-hour study spaces, midterm grade reporting, affordable course materials, and increased awareness of financial aid resources.”
“Our platform is built on action, accessibility, and accountability. We’re not just making promises; we’re advocating for real solutions that would directly improve students’ academic success, financial well-being, and overall campus experience … By voting for our platform, students have the chance to choose a leadership team that prioritizes transparency, community engagement, experience, and meaningful improvements to their daily lives at Oakland University,” the slate said.
For more information, check out the slate’s website or Instagram.
Smith-Cattanach Slate
J Cooper Smith is the presidential candidate, Malachi Cattanach is the vice-presidential candidate and Markowon Blocker is the legislator candidate.
Smith is a junior majoring in criminal justice. Smith has served as a legislator for OUSC since Dec. 2022 and is currently the majority leader of the legislature. Smith has served in roles including judiciary chair and parliamentarian. Outside of OUSC, Smith serves as the president and founder of the Jewelry and Metalsmithing Club and the supervisor for the recreational outdoor complex at the recreation center.
Cattanach is a junior studying finance, who has partnered with non-partisan grassroots organizations to help student success in local communities. Blocker is a freshman.
“The Smith-Cattanach platform is built on a simple but powerful belief: students deserve a voice in the decisions that shape their education and campus experience,” the slate said. “We are committed to representing your concerns, advocating for your needs, and ensuring that Student Congress is truly a platform for your voice. Our leadership is dedicated to listening, engaging, and fighting for real change that makes a difference in students’ lives.”
“Our goal is to make student life better by advocating for more resources, transparency, and policies that put you first. For far too long, many students have felt like their voices don’t get heard when it comes to the policies passed by OUSC, and we believe by engaging students on a more one-on-one basis, we can better adapt policy to fit the needs of every student,” the slate said.
Key issues include lowering tuition, promoting affordable course materials, improving campus dining, creating easier access to on-campus mental health resources, advocating for a safer campus and increasing student feedback.
“We are also proud to announce that we are the only platform that intends to LOWER YOUR TUITION. Yes, we said it. We understand that the rising cost of tuition is one of the biggest concerns for students. That’s why we are committed to fighting for policies that make college more affordable. Our plan includes advocating for increased university funding, reallocating budget priorities to prioritize student needs, and expanding access to scholarships and financial aid. Additionally, we will push for greater financial transparency to ensure students know exactly where their tuition dollars are going. By taking a proactive approach, we aim to reduce the financial burden on students and make higher education more accessible for all,” the slate said.
For more information, check out the slate’s Google Document or Instagram.
Smith-Drzewiecki Slate
Rose Smith is the presidential candidate, Allison Drzewiecki is the vice-presidential candidate, Clover DeVore is the speaker of the legislature candidate and Marion Brumer is the legislator candidate.
Smith is a sophomore majoring in political science. She has served with OUSC since Feb. 2024, as a legislator and currently serves as the judiciary chair since May 2024. Outside of OUSC, Smith is the current president and founder of College Democrats of Oakland University (CDOU).
Drzewiecki is a sophomore majoring in International Relations and Japanese and has been with OUSC since April 2024 and serves on the Judiciary and Sustainability committees. Drzewiecki is the secretary of OU’s Young Democratic Socialists of America Chapter (OUYDSA).
DeVore is a freshman majoring in political science and has been a member of OUSC since Oct. 2024, serving on the research and review committee and the judiciary committee. DeVore is the president-elect of CDOU and a member of the executive board since Oct. 2024.
Brumer is a sophomore majoring in political science and is the current vice president of OUSC. She has previously served as a legislator and parliamentarian in OUSC. She is also the vice president for CDOU and a member of the executive board since Nov. 2023.
“We want to be able to utilize the skills we’ve garnered in our current positions in Student Congress to help the student body as much as we can,” the slate said.
“In particular, we wish to highlight the issues of Affordable Course Materials, Dining, Safety, Transparency, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within our platform. We believe our platform contains the best way forward for Oakland University’s student government and the best way forward for helping students in their day to day lives,” the slate said.
“We believe that students should vote for us because we intend to give them as much of a voice as we possibly can. We want to empower students in every aspect across the university and empower the change that the students seek! We know we don’t have the answer to every question or need the student body may have! This is why we want to ensure Student Congress has a more open dialogue with everyday students across campus, it’s important to seek out issues from students that we don’t hear from every day! Or from students that we don’t relate to and wouldn’t otherwise hear opinions from,” the slate said.
For more information, check out the slate’s website or Instagram.
