Woods-Moon platform focuses on funding, recycling

Woods has experience as MSA Student Court chief justice.

By Amanda Capua

Published Sept. 10, 2010

Eric Woods, former Missouri Students Association Student Court chief justice, announced his candidacy for MSA president Wednesday. Woods said he was satisfied with his former role in MSA, but believes he is capable of doing more for MU as MSA president.

“I was interpreting the legal things, but I wanted to step up and do more for the students,” Woods said. “The presidency is the best place to do that.”

Woods, a senior, has been involved in MSA since his freshman year, when he started as a justice for the Student Court. He went on to be associate chief justice before becoming chief justice his junior year.

“It was an important job, and it was very rewarding,” Woods said. “I worked for the reform of the Chancellor’s Standing Committee on Student Conduct, and it was a good experience.”

Woods’ running mate, junior Emily Moon, has never been involved in MSA. Both candidates say they see this as an advantage since it differentiates her from other candidates.

“I can bring an outsider’s perspective on issues to the insider’s perspective of MSA,” Moon said. “I’ve been involved in many organizations, and I’ve seen what changes could be made.”

Justin Mohn, the team's campaign manager and MSA Operations Committee Chairman, has experience in political campaigning from his summer job working for state Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City. He said he is optimistic about the upcoming election.

“Eric and Emily are good student leaders and have a good strategy,” Mohn said. “I’m excited to be working with them.”

Woods said he and Moon are working with a distinct platform of issues, but they will address the students’ needs first and foremost.

“We’re going to talk to as many students and student organizations as possible and tell them about what we’d like to see change,” Woods said. “ We’ll also be asking them what they want to see happen and how they want us to help.”

A major point of interest for this team is advocacy. Woods said this means being effective as far as making changes where needed and accomplishing certain goals.

“I have a great history for being an advocate and butting heads to get things done,” Woods said. “I have certain diplomatic qualities that allow me to give concessions, but let administrators know what we want.”

Woods said another key platform point is campus funding. MSA has a $1.3 million budget comprised of student fees. Woods said he would like to put that money to good use.

“Students should get the most of their funds since they’re paying to be here,” Woods said. “They should be involved with how this money is spent.”

Woods would also like to be able to give more financial assistance to STRIPES, an MSA auxiliary. STRIPES has had to turn away volunteers because of a lack of resources.

Woods said sustainability is also an important part of his platform, and he would like to work with Sustain Mizzou to promote better recycling habits for students.

“It seems that students recycle when it’s convenient, so we need to make it as convenient as possible,” Woods said. “It’s our responsibility to keep a good environment, and we need to make it easier to recycle on campus.”