This is the third story in a five-part series examining the races for Duke Student Government executive positions.
One's an enterprising politician, one's an ambitious environmentalist.
Alex Niejelow, a junior political science major and current Duke Student Government legislator, and Kevin Ogorzalek, a junior biological anthropology and anatomy major and Chronicle columnist, will go head to head for DSG vice president for facilities and athletics in the March 4 executive elections.
The committee serves as a liaison to various facilities management, transportation and auxiliary services departments--many of which will be consolidated under the new Division of Campus Services this summer.
"[The transition] will definitely have to be dealt with with members of the new executive body. There's been a lot of talk of restructuring," said junior Clifford Davison, current vice president for facilities and athletics. "The new VP will have to be very conscious about his goals in order to align them with a new Campus Services director and how to structure input."
As a sophomore, Niejelow served on the DSG Student Affairs Committee, and lost in his bid for vice president of that committee. This year, as a member of the Facilities and Athletics Committee, he has been the key force behind the reservation of a certain number of spaces in the new Bryan Center parking deck for undergraduate use.
He believes increased student and club interaction, expanded campus safety measures and an improved transportation department are the top priorities for next year.
"Increasing the presence of the Duke police and the number of blue light phones is important," Niejelow said. "I propose we create a task force made up of administrators, Duke police officers, facilities and management leaders and student leaders to proactively discuss safety issues."
Additionally, he said deciding the future of the student village is crucial to improving how student organizations operate and how they communicate and interact with each other.
In the area of transportation and parking, Niejelow plans to expand and improve the SAFE Rides and Taxis on FLEX programs. He also pointed to irregular parking lot schedules as an important problem that facilities and athletics needs to address. He cited increased communication and more effective oversight as means to achieve these goals.
Ogorzalek's main goals include making the campus more environmentally friendly and gathering student input on the planned villages for Central and West campuses. "Student input does not stop with [Vice President for Student Affairs Larry] Moneta and a survey. We need student input every step of the way and this can't be left to a committee and one vice president," Ogorzalek said. "There's not enough outreach [in facilities and athletics] and I think students don't know what DSG does. We need to be sure that communication goes both ways."
A junior, Ogorzalek is a member of the Environmental Alliance and received a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to fund the conversion of campus bus fuel to a cleaner grade. He also has lobbied to start an endowment to save the Primate Center.
Ogorzalek lacks DSG experience but does not consider that a disadvantage.
"I'm not here to push an agenda that I want--I'm not a politician. I'm a somewhat-frustrated student. I want to be sure DSG doesn't just sit around and talk and not get things done," he said. "I think not being in DSG helps. I don't know other people's agendas, so it's as if I'm coming in with a fresh slate. I'm open to hearing other people's ideas and I hope I'll bring a new perspective."
Despite the diverse backgrounds of the two candidates, Davison believes both are qualified for the position.
"One has worked within the structure of DSG, and one outside, but both have experience nevertheless," Davison said.
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