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| ASUI Senate election guide |
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| Written by Compiled by Alexiss Turner and Liz Virtue — Argonaut | ||||||
| Friday, 11 April 2008 | ||||||
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Casey Attebery 1.I would consider myself a very hardworking individual. I am kind of a perfectionist and I have a hard time settling for anything less than a job well done. I have always taken the organizations and groups I have been a part of very seriously and have sought ways to take on leadership roles within them. If elected, ASUI would be no different and I would take my duties as Senator very seriously and settle for no less than serving the student body to the best of my potential. I think a good Senator needs to possess these qualities. 2. The University of Idaho is pretty solid. There aren’t many things that I think need improvement. Probably the biggest concern for me as well as what I think most needs to be improved is enrollment. It puzzles me how such a great university and campus life found here at the University of Idaho has a problem with dwindling numbers in the enrollment department. It doesn’t help that we have to compete with Boise State and all of the free advertising that businesses and other organizations use in the Boise area. Perhaps we need to come up with a better marketing plan to combat the Boise State bandwagon phenomenon. Also, I think that if we could just establish more programs and events to get prospective Vandals up to Moscow and visit campus, then they too will come to enjoy and fall in love with all of the aspects of our beautiful campus that brought all of us here. 3. If elected, I will make sure that student dollars that fund ASUI events and programs will not be wasted. ASUI is funded by tuition dollars and the students need to get the best use out of their money. I know I will personally work to achieve this goal through the duties and responsibilities of Senator if elected. I would also encourage my peers to do the same as well as make sure that any increase in student fees goes to worthwhile purposes and will not be in favor of them if my constituents are not in favor of them. Osama Mansour 1. I think that I have a passion for making life better and do what I can to achieve that. I have experience with planning and programming which I can use to accomplish my goals. 2. More student involvement in ASUI is something we need to see more of. 3. If elected I would like to mainly work on creating awareness among students as to what ASUI is, what we can do for them and how they can have more power and a stronger voice. Patrick Bradbury 1. I have held several leadership positions within many organizations on campus. I was a member of the executive board in my living group and am currently on the executive board in the Psi Chi honors society. I am also on the Homecoming Committee for next year and the Tradition Keepers chair for the Student Alumni Relations Board. Through these experiences I have learned how to be a leader and get things done. These skills will be necessary to best represent the students.In have been working with ASUI since November, and because of this I have been able to learn how ASUI works and more importantly I have had a chance to network with both ASUI and university administrators. This networking will allow me to enter office and start working immediately to further the students’ interests.I think the best quality I have for being a Senator is my love for the University of Idaho. I have been here for nearly three years and every year I realize how great this institution is, and I wholeheartedly wish to improve it. I am a fourth generation Vandal on my dad’s side of the family and third on my mom’s side. My family loves this institution and now that I am a student here I understand why. Because of this, I truly want to make this school a better place. 2. Administration transparency is a major issue that needs improvement. Recently there have been many controversial topics brought up by the university. These topics include student fee increases, outsourcing management of the bookstore and parking reform. I am concerned with the secrecy in which the university has approached these issues. They are not being open with the students, making deals behind closed doors. These issues affect all students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community, and the administration is not giving these groups much of a voice if any. They are not saying where the money allocated to the General Education Operating Budget is going, nor are they informing the students about the terms of the new bookstore contract until after a decision has been made. This essentially is cutting the students out of the decision process, silencing those who should have a voice. As a senator I would work to increase my knowledge of what would best serve the students, and place strong pressure on the administration to be open with the them and allowing their voices to be heard. The university needs to stop making their own decisions behind closed doors and ignoring the very people the university is here for: the students. 3. I am going to give the students greater voices in the administration of the university. I feel like the University of Idaho will be a better, more attractive place if the students’ voices are taken into account. I would work to make sure a the decisions that are made are in the best interest of the students and the best way to do that is by listening to what they want. Currently this is not common practice for the university administration. This is not going to be an easy goal to accomplish. It will require diligence and patience. I think that I am the best person for the job because I don’t give up. I will not simply let those who need to be held accountable slide under the radar. No longer will they be allowed to run their own show without fear of retribution if their policies negatively affect the students. I think that too often there is a perception that the University of Idaho students are ill informed and apathetic to university policy. This perception has caused the administration to cut us out of the decision process. I am running for senate to let them know that this is not true. This misperception ends here. We will not stand aside and allow them to ignore us any longer. That’s why I am running for Senate and that’s why I’m the best person for the job. Alex Ganevsky 1. Through my college career I have been involved in leadership positions on the executive boards of both living groups I have been in, the dorms and my fraternity. I have learned what it takes to run a student organization structured similarly to the ASUI student organization. I have learned how the process works in these organizations and what it takes to make sure such an organization runs efficiently and effectively. I also am very hard working, creative and dedicated. You can always count on me to get a job done. 2. I think that security needs improvement here at the University of Idaho. I believe that the U of I should start by upgrading the security phones on the campus. I frequently hear students say that they have never seen these phones on campus. This isn’t good because if they need to use one of these phones when walking home at night and they don’t know where to find them, bad things could happen that might otherwise be avoided. So the first thing this University needs to do is at least place more of these phones on the campus to provide better emergency coverage. According to the phone map on UI’s website places such as New Greek row, the Arboretum, the Wallace Complex, the Tower and more don’t have any phones in the nearby vicinity. Places like the Kibbe Dome, Old Greek row, and others are covered by only one phone each according to the map. For a building as large as the Kibbe Dome, emergency phones should be well placed to accommodate all exit areas. Emergency phones need to be plentiful and very visible. The University needs to also consider upgrading these phones to the Blue Light Emergency Phone. These are phones on a tower-shaped structure with a blue siren light on the top. There is a number pad on the phone which allows you to dial any number, and there is a red button that if pushed, will activate the flashing blue light, and will dial the emergency number programmed into it immediately. I am not sure what other features these phones may have, but when I visited the University of Northern Colorado campus, I saw these phone towers everywhere and I was informed that if you push the red button, the siren would make noise and campus security would come quickly to your aid. With this new emergency telephone model, students would have safer walks on the campus. 3. Other than pushing for the emergency phone upgrade, I would also like to add a feedback/suggestion box page to ASUI’s website that students can use to email any concerns or desires they have of ASUI. I know that each ASUI Senator’s job is to go to all their living groups and keep them updated on what is happening at UI as well as get feedback, but this would provide another way for students to get involved and voice their opinions, concerns and ideas. Basically, this webpage would have a direct link for students to email members of ASUI, or a committee established to manage these messages, and then ASUI could look over what people are asking for and do what they can to fulfill the students’ wishes. ASUI’s job is to represent the students and this online student voice box would help ASUI do this more effectively. Brad Griff 1. One of the most important qualities I posses is experience. My entire college career I have been extremely involved with my living group and other organizations such as SArb. Most recently, I have served this past school year as ASUI faculty council representative. This position has allowed me to obtain the tools necessary to be an effective senator. I have spent the last year working on issues important to students. I have first hand knowledge of how ASUI operates and established a network with people within the ASUI currently fighting for students. 2. One thing that needs to be addressed is assuring that student voices are heard by the administration. This past year as a member of ASUI, I have seen how the administration either intentionally or unintentionally ignored the student’s opinions on several important decisions such as parking, and the bookstore. In order to have more control over what happens at our university, it’s crucial that the administration hears student’s voices and takes them into account when considering policy change. 3. One project I want to begin working on immediately is called the Silver and Gold Walk. This is a new tradition surrounding the football team that I want to spearhead. As the football team arrives at the Kibbie Dome, the Vandal marching band and fans would be present to greet them and cheer them on as they walk into the Dome in a type of pep rally. It will get the players, coaches, and fans excited and help usher in a new era of Vandal football. John Rock 1. What qualities do you possess that will make you a good Senator? There are three strong qualities that come to mind. The first quality I call ‘ROCK the Vote,’ which is a way of saying that I like to get involved in activities and campus life. I have a unique, well rounded, perspective on campus life having lived off campus, on campus in a U of I living group, gone to a community college, worked in the real world, and attended the University. The second quality I posses is I like to think of myself as a “second chance student.” What this means is that I worked hard at a local community college in my hometown to get to the University of Idaho, and now that I am here I want to make the most of it and give back to the campus that gave me this opportunity. This spirit of giving back brings me to my third point. I have always believed in the value of leaving something in better condition than you found it, that is what I would like to do. 2. What is one thing you think needs improvement at the University of Idaho? One of the major issues that I feel strongly about is student representation. I feel that ASUI should do a better job of meeting with their living groups and could be a lot more visible on campus. I know of living groups who have a senator meet with them regularly, but the living group I am in has yet to meet with their senator even one time in this entire year. I know this has been a problem with several of the other living groups on campus as well. Also, I know that a majority of students on campus wouldn’t recognize an ASUI senator if they saw one. 3. What is one thing you are going to DO for the students if elected? One word: Accountability. There are two ways in which I will be accountable to the student body. The first I call ‘ROCK and ROLE’ which is a slogan for my plan of action. I plan to meet with my living groups at the very least, twice a month and make a point of meeting with students individually as well. The other slogan I have I call ‘ROCK Talk.’ This stands for a position I will have of making myself more visible and available to students to hold meetings and forums. To help implement Rock Talk, and Rock & Role, I have a few ideas. One idea is to wear a shirt that shows I am an ASUI Senator so that people know I am someone to go to with needs and concerns, and the other is to set up a table somewhere more accessible to act as a sounding board for students. Matthew Draper 1. I am a very determined and responsible person and those are the two main qualities that make a good Senator in my opinion. I am honest and feel that hard work and dedication are other attributes that I poses that will make myself a good Senator. 2. I do not think there is only one thing that the University of Idaho needs to improve on. I think the University of Idaho as a whole needs improvement. This is a very diverse university and for the betterment of the University of Idaho improving all aspects of the campus and the institution are of the up most concern to me. 3. If I am elected for the position of ASUI senator I will represent my constituents with dignity and will do what I feel is the right thing to do. I will do everything that is necessary for the student body to ensure that their higher education continues at the highest level the University of Idaho has to offer. Dakota Gullickson 1. I believe I can help the school in a positive way. I have seen how the university works in the three years that I’ve been here and what needs to be changed and what can stay the same. I have held many leadership positions in my Greek chapter as well as when I was in high school so I really know how to take charge of situations and get things done to benefit my classmates and peers. I would love the opportunity to help the school out that is giving me an education and I know I’m qualified and ready to do so. 2. I don’t think anyone would disagree that the ASUI as an organization is effective and heading in the right direction. However, it does have some flaws. Connections with the Senate and the Administration need to become stronger. I also think that each and every senator should be held accountable for each different project because otherwise the overall purpose is defeated. Without accountability, some senators could just sit back and not do much work and not get in any trouble for it 3. I think a lot of people think that Senate needs to communicate to the students better when the real issue relates to having better communication with the Administration. I would like to implement some mechanism so the Admin and Senate are forced to work with each other with every pressing problem. The senate didn’t know what was going on with the book store until it came out in the Argonaut. If the Administration was forced to come through the Senate instead of passing them by, that wouldn’t have happened so abruptly. I also would like to get some type of off campus involvement system because I feel it is important to include the opinions of the off-campus students. They are a huge majority of this school and need to be just as involved as the people living on campus Hui-Ju (Sophia) Tsai 1. Like I've stated many times, I really do care for every individual student, and for them to take advantage of their right to speak out. I've been in those shoes and know how it feels when there is so much I can say, but no one seem to be listening. I'm a great listener and a hard worker. I will listen and take in all the concerns and ideas into consideration, and I will address them to the best of my abilities. The multiple secretarial leadership position I've had up to date may not measure up to some of the greater leadership positions and experiences some of the other candidates can bring to the table. However, I do not see it as a weakness that will stand in the way of me being able to represent the students well. In the world where we all strive for this impossible perfection, there will always be things to be taught and learned. I'm driven and passionate in all that I put my mind to. I'm also a fast learner. I've learned so much about what ASUI have done and are still currently doing for the students. As my knowledge expands, my interest for this organization grew. To be born and raised in Taiwan, I feel I could bring diversity and an unique point of view to the Senate. At the same time, I do not see my views creating conflicts in the Senate. I strongly believe that to have a strong cooperation and team work within the Senate will allow the senators to effectively and efficiently in addressing the issues. The whole Senate can speak louder than a Senator. To be able to work together is how the Senate will be able to accurately represent the students' and to address their wants and needs. 2. The university and ASUI have given me a great first year college experience. However, there are certain issues that should be addressed and improved to make UI a better community. Lack of communication and interaction between students and ASUI is an issue that is still looking for an answer to. It'll be an issue that will continually need attention over in order to be resolved. Without communication and interaction, senators cannot accurately serve those whom voted the senators in office and the rest of the student body. If voted in office, I will visit the living groups as much as I can, and furthermore, I will interact with them. I do want to only inform them of current Senate activities and continue to sit on the side through meetings. The things I say to inform them will probably add on to a whole list of things that was said that will soon be forgotten. I want to interact with the students so that they would feel comfortable in speaking to me. Sometimes people with the powerful positions seem like some sort of superhuman that is unreachable. I, and many other Senators and candidates, are like everyone else, but with the honor to represent and be the voice of the students. 3. If I elected to office, I promise to serve the students to the best of my abilities. Fall semester is still months away. I cannot predict the future of what will be an issue and what will not. The issue about the book store will be resolved soon. Also, the issue about parking is something the current Senate is already working on. Whether parking will still be a hot issue, only time will tell. No matter what issue will come at me, I will work with the Senators to do what is best for the students. The students believe in my abilities to serve as their representative in order to put me in office, and I will work so hard to see the best for them. Ausey Robnett IV 1. I feel that a few of my best qualities that will make me a strong Senator include my own leadership experiences and my ability to communicate clearly with people. I have held numerous positions within my living group since I started here at the University, including our house chaplain. These required that I go out of my normal boundaries in order to plan, organize, and run our ceremonies. I’ve also taken part in the ASB program last spring, which helped to teach me the value of being available and easy to speak with, along with giving me a taste for trying to make a difference in both my environment and others. 2. There are a few key projects that I am supporting for the improvement of the University, including Parking issues, Advising Program changes, and ASUI Funding program transparency. While these are very important, I feel that the first, and most important, improvement that the University needs to make concerns the communication between the Student Body, their elected officials, and the Administration as a whole. As things stand right now, there are established methods for the Senators to reach out to their constituents and hear the student’s concerns, but most students are unaware of these options. I think that we not only need to hold our Senate office hours and visit our living group’s meetings, but I also feel that we need to make a strong effort to make the students aware of these options. If the student body is aware of our availability to them, it will make it easier for us to find their concerns about various issues. If we know the concerns of the Student Body, we will be able to act on them. 3. When I am elected to the ASUI Senate, I have two main goals that I intend to do for the student body as a whole. First and foremost, I intend to improve upon a great system we have now in regards to communication between the students, ASUI, and the administration. Without a solid and reliable line of communication between the students and the administration, they are not even going to recognize our concerns when they make decisions. I hope that, by improving communication both through making my office hours more readily known and available as well as visiting my living communities as often as possible, I can take our concerns to the Senate and to the administration. Through communication, we can hold the officers of this school accountable to the students. Monzerrath Magana 1. Over the last ten years the face of campus has drastically changed and I want to make sure that ASUI is reflective of that change. Currently I am a Resident Assistant, and with this role I am responsible for the well being of my community and active within the campus itself to help transition the student to campus life. I am very passionate and motivated in everything I do. I know that with hard work and motivation my leadership would be a great asset to all the students at the University of Idaho. 2. There are few areas of ASUI that need improvement, and one area might be in making sure that senators are accessible to diverse students in the same capacity as all campus residents attending U of I. I want to listen and be an advocate of multicultural students’ issues. I will be a resource to my constituents. By listening and exploring what the students’ needs and wants are; we can better learn to create policy amendments and make effective change. I will also examine past concerns from the students and see how those issues can be of relevance today in creating a better campus for all. 3. ASUI’s mission is to be a voice and be an advocate for all students’ issues and concerns. If elected I will care for the needs of the students attending University of Idaho. One of my major concerns is how students are able to fund their education specifically through grants, scholarships, and loans to attend the University of Idaho. I want to work on a program with Student Financial Aid office to help create scholarships for students with high financial need as well as work with organizations and committees already established on campus such as Juntura who review and recommend policy for underrepresented groups. I believe that that this issue is key for the recruiting and retaining students that have little to no help from their families to help fund their education. Many students are not able to go on and finish their education because of the lack of money available to them at U of I but with donor help and a commitment from our administrators we can help make the dream of higher education possible for many students. Ofelio Flores-Resendiz Jr. 1. Leadership. I’ve held many leadership roles in the past. Currently I am president for a just-established fraternity on campus, Lambda Theta Phi. I was also vice president before it became an actual fraternity. I’m also co-chair for UNITY, a multicultural council. I am a very social person; I like to be out there talking to people. I was in charge of contacting people, setting up events and coordinating. I threw in a lot of ideas. As of right now I’m in charge of overseeing our fraternity. Membership is kind of low so I’m working on that and trying to work within the fraternities’ interest as well. I’m just a people person I’d say, I’m out there talking to everyone. I believe that those are two qualities a senator should have: being able to be social with all students who need to be represented and being able to lead them. 2. One thing that I really do think needs improvement is security. After all the incidents that have happened on campus it’s kind of scary for students now and even incoming students. I know it has been proposed before but one thing that I would like to do is set up emergency phones like on other campuses. They are more assessable to students when they’re walking out at night, if something were to occur they could go there, hit the siren button, have it go off, and it would be like a beacon. To increase security on our campus would be great for student retention and recruitment. I had a cousin who was thinking of coming up here but after she heard about these things she decided to go somewhere else. I believe if our campus was safer recruitment would go up. Safety is an issue in all campuses, improving it would be a great idea. 3. Fees. I’ve noticed with fee proposals some of them have been very high. I would like to decrease student fees. As students we’re already paying tuition and for books and to add on that cost puts us more in debt. Most of us are taking out student loans. I would like to increase fees but only in programs that really need it. For example, the UI Women’s Center I know has a low budget. This past semester I know they have had to do their own fundraising to pay for the programs they’ve set up. When they have asked for a fee increase they received lower than what they requested. Increase fees where need be and allocate increases to organizations that don’t necessarily need them to programs that need them most. Casey Lund 1. Personally I feel like my work ethic and following through with the projects I start makes me a good candidate for the senate. Although I have no formal ASUI experience, I have been heavily involved in the student council for my high school for which I was the student body president for two years. I feel that has given me the experience, know-how, and drive to be a good senator. 2. I think every senator would probably agree that communication between three parties: UI students, ASUI student government and the administration needs to be improved. There are a lot of different smaller issues that need to be dealt with but one of the biggest things the senate needs to tackle is this communication. This is a really interesting time when things are changing and a lot of different things are happening at the university. Making sure that everybody is on the same level is very important. 3. One big thing that my running mate, Brad Griff, and I are both excited about is the Silver and Gold Walk. It is a new tradition that we would like to create involving the football team and the marching band. It’s a cool idea, something that I really want to be a part of along with all the other stuff that every senator would agree needs attention. To find out more about the Silver and Gold Walk visit Brad’s facebook page.  Add as favorites (67) | Views: 724
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