http://digital.lib.buffalo.edu/upimage/RG9-9-00-3_38_82_1988_p3.pdf

Media

Part of Mestre Wins the BSU Presidency, May 4, 1988

Text

Mestre Wins The BSU Presidency
Young, Henderson Also Win Positions
By MARC SCHNEIDER
Spectrum Staff Reporter

Oswaldo Mestre is the new Black
Student Union president, after
narrowly defeating Terry Lindsay in
the election held last week.
Mestre, former Student
Association vice president, defeated
Lindsay by a margin of 200 to 125,
and was pleased by the victory.
"It's great," Mestre said. "It's
like a dream come true. I've been at
this University a long time, and I'm
actually in a position where I can
help.
"I'm going to see that every
element of black student life is
fulfilled within this University,"
Mestre added. "A Renaissance is
coming."
Mestre, who ran on the
Renaissance ticket, noted that
improving
membership,
communication, image and morale
were among his top goals for the
future of the organization.
Communication, image stressed
'' Communication is real
important. Not just among our
clubs, but among our individuals as
well. Communication has to
improve," Mestre said.
Mestre also expressed a need to
improve BSU's image "by making
the BSU office a cultural
center.. .not just for black students,

Oswaldo Mestre

but for white and Hispanic students
as well."
Mestre believed the recent
incident regarding BSU's budget for
the 1988-89 academic year both
epitomized
the
lack
of
communication between BSU and
SA and tarnished the image of BSU.
This past year, BSU failed to
submit their budget request on time
and its funding was cut from
$26,000 to $17,000. Mestre blamed
the failure on miscommunication.
''There was a miscommunication
last year between BSU and SA,''
Mestre claimed.
Mestre said that such an incident

would not be repeated, since his
presidency will avoid such
developments, and noted that his
relationship with SA would also
prevent such an occurence. ''I have
a good relationship with SA,''
Mestre explained.
When asked if BSU can survive
on the funding which they received
from SA for next year, Mestre
commented, "I don't think so. I'm
going to try and get money
elsewhere."
Mestre said that he could not
reveal these outside sources at the
present time.
Lindsay said that although he was
disappointed with the loss, he
would continue to pursue an
alternative role in making BSU an
effective organization on campus.
"We (BSU) are a family. The
family will still go on. We've just
decided who's in charge of the
family . Now that we have that,
we're going to rebuild the family,"
Lindsay said.
''I'm going to be working in all
capacities with the BSU," added
Lindsay. He said that he will most
likely be a member of one of the
extended committees.
Kurt Young was announced vice
president, Rosco Henderson
treasurer, Nicole Thompson
activities coordinator, and Ronda
Raison as secretary. Incidentally,
Don Miller, former chair of the
College Republicans, received a
written vote for treasurer.