Travis plans to make MSA more accessible

The MSA presidential candidate also promotes the "Mizzou Family" in his platform.

By Kelly Olejnik

Published Sept. 10, 2010

Missouri Students Association presidential candidate Josh Travis said making student government more accessible to the student body will play a major role throughout his campaign this semester.

Travis, who’s running with MSA Student Affairs Committee Chairwoman Michelle Horan, said he plans to make student government work for students again.

"When I was a (MSA) senator I felt as if I wasn't speaking for students — I was just a concerned individual trying to make the best decisions," Travis said. "MSA does a good job at making themselves accessible, but students don't know they are there."

Travis plans to make direct president-student interaction more easily accessible to students.

"Working to take the student government to the students means being on the ground," Travis said.

Events such as a presidential coffee will allow students to meet with his or her president in a casual setting, he said. Students might also have the opportunity to attend and ask questions at a presidential town hall meeting that would take place at least once a semester.

"I enjoy meeting with people, talking with people," Travis said. "That is what inspires me."

All presidential outreach events will be open to any and all students that may be interested.

Travis said he looks to build upon and foster what he calls the "Mizzou Family."

"We need to codify a university message that students should be exposed to at Summer Welcome," Travis said. "Fall (freshman year) is where it all begins."

According to the Travis-Horan platform, "Students divide amongst arbitrary lines whether it be by Greek or non-Greek status or by the color of our skin and our ethnic background."

There needs to be a culture shift on campus, Travis said.

To break down the barriers between students, Travis has planned to upgrade Homecoming by bringing it outside of the Greek Life community.

"Homecoming festivities are easily accessible, but not known to most students," Travis said.

Large university spirit rallies will take place as a part of the "Homecoming 2.0" upgrade as well as a possible concert on the Carnahan Quadrangle.

This concert would bring students inside and outside of the Greek Life community together to enjoy student performances during Homecoming week.

"I believe there is a strong bond that connects all students," Travis said. "We are more than a campus, we are a family."

According to the Travis-Horan platform, the feeling of campus unity felt on football game days should not and does not end with the game.

Not only is the Travis-Horan campaign looking towards completing long term goals, they are working to improve the students' experience at MU now.

Travis also plans to expand TigerWatch, a student organization that aims to promote safety and reduce feelings of danger on campus at night.

"This semester TigerWatch has three goals," Travis said. "The first is to reach 25 members, second is to provide an escort to 100 students and to always make sure there are officers on the ground."

He also plans to reach his short-term goal of 10,000 student votes during this fall's presidential election, whether those votes are for Travis-Horan or another slate.

Travis said he plans to make the commitment to doing the groundwork necessary to get students involved to reach the goal of 10,000 votes. In 2008, when the last MSA presidential election with multiple candidates was held, 4,881 votes were cast among the three candidates.

"Some have told me that dream is too big," Travis said. "When we were kids, were we told to dream small? I refuse to dream small."