The University of Idaho Argonaut

ASUI President Jon Gaffney and Vice President Amy Huddleston will officially give up their responsibilities on April 16 when the 2008 ASUI elections come to an end. Two potential pairs are competing for their spots in the ASUI office.

Presidential candidate Lauren McConnell and vice presidential candidate Derek Arnold answer questions during the open forum in the Commons on Thursday. Tyler Macy/Argonaut

Arnold is an active member of his fraternity, Theta Chi, and McConnell is a part of residence life. The two gathered their respective living groups and played a game of “broom ball” last week, McConnell said. The activity allowed the two different groups to mingle and have fun together, she said.
The main staple of their platform is to increase student involvement and student voice on campus, McConnell said.

“The University of Idaho should be a student first university,” McConnell said. “Our goal is for students to have a say in their education, the sense of community on campus and their living situations.”
One of their primary goals is to create a system of assessment to gather student feedback on important issues like parking, fee increases and dining choices. This way students will have a say in things that directly affect them, McConnell said.
“This will create tangible things for the university to work with and improve on,” she said.

Presidential candidate Garrett Holbrook and vice presidential candidate Tricia Crum answer questions during the open forum in the Commons on Thursday. Tyler Macy/Argonaut

Crump said a majority of their time would be spent trying to build upon systems already in place at the university. One example is improve the tailgating at UI athletic events, she said.

“We want to make it bigger and bring entertainment and local bands,” Crump said. “The money is there to do it. We want to make it more convenient for tailgaters.”
The two hope to add food options and a stage for entertainment, Holbrook said.
Another plank of their platform includes creating a place on campus that will provide students with more entertainment options. They also hope to move forward on phase two of the Student Recreation Center.

Holbrook said he believes they can achieve their goals because of their leadership experience.
“Our background and experience sets us apart because we have both been involved and have made those connections,” Holbrook said. “It’s not about building relationships because a lot of them are already there.”
However McConnell and Arnold said they too have the right experience to get the job done.

McConnell is currently serving as a senator and said the job has prepared her for presidency. Her running mate has not worked with ASUI before but said this is a plus.
“Being new to ASUI, I’m in the position to get involved and have the opportunity to get in there and hear everything students have to say with an unbiased ear,” Arnold said.

Both pairs participated in an open forum on Thursday in the Idaho Commons that gave students the opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns.
Juniors Sarah Fuger and Amanda Gray attended the forum and said they have been following the elections closely. They came to the Commons specifically to listen to the candidates present their platforms to the public.

Gray said it’s important for students to pay attention to what the potential candidates are saying because it will directly affect every student on campus.
“It’s important to listen because if you get screwed, it’s your own fault,” Gray said. “If you don’t pay attention then you have no control over it.”
Arnold encouraged students to check out the Web sites for each pair of candidates running because it will help them make an educated decision. He would also like to meet as many students as possible, he said.

“There’s no reason to expect to get elected by students who don’t know who we are,” Arnold said.
The two groups running for ASUI president and vice president agree now is the time for students to ask questions of their potential leaders, in order to find out which will best represent them. The candidates said they enjoy hearing what students have to say as well.

“The best thing is talking one on one with students,” McConnell said. “I honestly think we learn more about what students need in these three weeks of campaigning than in a whole year as a senator.”

Crump said she wants to hear the students concerns but also wants to act to make a change.
“We want to be the strong voice for the students but we’re also going to be the solution to many of their concerns,” Crump said. “We are going to push very hard to get things done around campus.”

ASUI elections will begin on April 14 and the results will be announced on the evening of April 16, after the polls have closed. Students can also vote for their favorite candidates running for a spot on the ASUI Senate.