Oakman 'breath of fresh air'

Though Jake Oakman's dream job is general manager of the Boston Red Sox, he's content to serve as president of the IU Student Association.\nOakman, of Springfield, Ohio, was elected to IUSA office with the rest of his Supernova ticket in February.\nHis unassuming demeanor, down-to-earth style and universal likeablility have made him an effective leader, said sophomore Jeff Wuslich, IUSA vice-president for administration.\n"He brought a breath of fresh air to the executive branch," said Wuslich, who met Oakman his freshman year, as both were beginning their service in student government. "He's one of the most amazing leaders I've served under."\nBy the end of his term as president of IUSA, Oakman, a senior in the School of Education, should be graduating, but his teaching career might not be his final stop.\nHe's thinking about law school.\n"I don't know if I want to teach for the rest of my life," said Oakman, a resident of Willkie Quad.\nAs an IUSA senator for two years and president pro tempore of congress, Oakman said he has focused on campus improvements. He has also acquired real world skills, especially people skills.\nOakman represents students, but deals with both students and administrators daily.\n"The most striking part of being in IUSA is seeing both sides," he said.\nDespite the glamour of meeting important people, Oakman's cubical office is hardly decked out for an executive. On a wall of his corner office in the Indiana Memorial Union is a magazine photo of the Boston Red Sox, his favorite team despite it's not playing well.\n"You have to be loyal to your team," Oakman said.\nAs president of IUSA, Oakman wants students to know that all students are members of IUSA and that he and his staff is fighting for them.\nDuring the campaign for IUSA, Oakman and his ticket promised to build on the accomplishments of officers, while bringing new energy, people and ideas.\n"We have a high -energy campaign that will make a big impact on campus," Wuslich said in February.\nThe ticket campaigned on four main priorities -- campus-wide improvement, opening up communication, helping to instill a feeling of pride and continuing to add new technology.\nAlready this year, IUSA has set up the Lecture Series, where IUSA gives students the opportunity to engage in open question and answer sessions with top University officials during its regular meetings. Earlier in the month, IU President Myles Brand participated in a special town hall meeting sponsored by IUSA.\nIUSA has also set up a project called Illuminator, which gives campus organizations free advertising in the IDS.\nThis year, IUSA has worked to bring Bank One ATM's back to campus. They are hopeful that a Bank One ATM will be in the IMU by Christmas break.\nOakman is appointing students to committees, and he recently appointed one of his best friends, senior Michael Katz, as Chief of Staff.\nOakman and Katz have an open, honest relationship, Katz said.\n"I can say what I want to Jake," Katz said. "We talk about problems."\nOakman says he's at his best during evening hours and considers himself a night owl. He works in his office approximately 15 hours a week, a schedule that allows him enough free time to play golf and Trivial Pursuit.\nIn his free time, Oakman enjoys watching old movies like "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Great Escape." He also enjoys The History Channel.