ISU Bengal

Issue date: 2/21/07 Section: News

Brown and Wheat

Knapp and Olson

Tom Briggs

Today and tomorrow, students of ISU will vote on whether to raise fees another $29 dollars for an improved Student Recreation Center. The students will also be voting on a new ASISU Constitution again. The students will most importantly be voting on new leadership within ASISU. These people will be working closely with the ISU administration, determining how activities and funds are used, and potentially, representing the students before the State Board of Education, asking for fee increases.

The executive election, comprised of three sets of candidates for ASISU President and Vice President, has the most widely advertised and talked about positions. The candidates were asked a number of questions, and the responses to them are included herein. The three candidates are Tom Briggs and Matt Bloxham; Shawnee Knapp and Elizabeth Olson; and Jennifer Brown and Bryan Wheat. The following are the questions and the answers that they each gave.



1. Why are you running for ASISU President & Vice President?



Knapp/Olson: "The students at ISU need someone who will listen to them and will fight for the things that are important to them. We believe that this year the voice of the students has been silenced and we need to bring student representation back."



Brown/Wheat: "I am running for President because I love Idaho State University and ASISU! As this year's Vice President, I believe that I am the most experienced and knowledgeable person to lead ASISU to great things in 2007-2008!"



Briggs/Bloxham: "We are running for President and Vice President to bring new voices to the ASISU government. We are the only candidates who are not part of the current student government's controversial policies and decisions of this past year."



2. If you have a slogan to sum up your run for Presidency, what is it? Explain.



Brown/Wheat: "Vote for Proven Leadership. Vote Brown-Wheat."





Briggs/Bloxham: "'Fight for ISU!' We want to strengthen ISU by providing an affordable education to our community, while having a university student government that will actively listen to its student body…"



Knapp/Olson: "'Students First!' That is where they should be, and that's who we represent."





3. In the past, some Presidents have had little ASISU experience, and have had a profound effect on the student body. How will your experience or lack thereof, serve the students of ASISU?



Briggs/Bloxham: Briggs became involved with ASISU during the last referendum on Reed Gym, and fought vigorously against raising fees $79 dollars for it. Briggs believes that with new leadership, big change can happen, without raising fees a great deal.

Bloxham-" While it may be true that I have no experience within the ASISU Senate, I will be bringing to the Senate experience from many other aspects of life, including several leadership positions. I work well with people, I listen with a humble point of view, I adapt quickly to new situations and have a history of working well under pressure."



Knapp/Olson: "We have both been actively involved on campus and have had various experiences that make us qualified and knowledgeable about the budget process and student needs. As current senators, we wrote the law that guaranteed the right for student voice on the Reed Gym…Our promise is to stay connected with the students who attend our great university and represent them with fresh ideas."



Brown/Wheat: "(Our) experience is a huge advantage for the students of Idaho State. When other candidates are learning all of the issues, learning how the State Board of Education and the how the university functions (we) will already be working on new changes. Bryan and I are the only candidates with the skills to really get into office and hit the ground running!"



4. During the Presidential Debate on Wednesday, each set of candidates talked specifically about listening to the students. How will you accomplish this?



Knapp/Olson: "We would like to hold open forums at various places on campus to first, help inform students of issues, and secondly to listen to students and allow them the chance to tell us what they want and need. We want to have better advertisement for our webpage and meetings and make great efforts to have personal relationships with students."



Brown/Wheat: "First, students need to know exactly who their student leaders are. All those elected and appointed need to be seen and heard throughout campus. Second, the students need to be aware of the forums, meetings, and places where they can go in order to give input and uncover concerns. Next, the ASISU office itself needs to be a less intimidating, more friendly atmosphere where any student will feel comfortable…More avenues of communication and media are needed for student awareness on campus…we plan to make ASISU information as accessible and public as possible."



Briggs/Bloxham: "It is time that something be done to recognize the diversity that this university has to offer and achieve more student involvement from all our various groups. We plan to bring open forum meetings to the places where the students are: in their dorms; in their dining halls; in their lecture halls, etc. It is through these open lines of communication between the students and their representatives that we will be better able to serve the diverse needs of ISU. We will listen to YOU!"



5. During campaigns, candidates, traditionally, make a lot of promises that they can't keep. Knowing that things like tuition increases are ultimately in the hands of the State Board of Education, what do you honestly believe that you can do for the members of ASISU?



Brown/Wheat: Brown-"I can promise students that I will work very hard on their behalf. I have loved the time I have spent working to understand and relate student perspectives on issues facing the university and its students. I have loved the time that I have spent over this past year improving club funding, serving on university committees, and representing the students to the Idaho SBOE and Legislature."



Briggs/Bloxham: "We believe there is something that can be done about large tuition hikes. We must present to the State Board of Education a united student voice, stating our opposition to these ridiculous rates of increase. Since 1998, the tuition and fees have DOUBLED! We cannot keep up this pace and still maintain an affordable education. Matt and I, with many other involved students, are already in the process of doing something about this issue."



Knapp/Olson: "As President and Vice President, we openly admit that the position doesn't give us complete control over fee increases, but we CAN control how hard we fight for a low increase for students. Members of the State Board of Education do not want to out-price students and student leaders in the past have successfully fought and kept fees low. It has been done, it can be done, and we are the ones who will do it. We are currently working on a Capital Projects fund that will allow students to decide what projects their student dollars should go to each year."



6. If The Bengal were to follow-up this December, what promises would the students see fulfilled? What campaign promises will come to fruition in the second part of your term?



Briggs/Bloxham: "The only promises we have made during our campaign are to fight for low student fees and to ensure that we will listen to our student body. …we have run our campaign with a sense of honesty and integrity that we are proud of."



Knapp/Olson: "Next December, we expect that the Bengal will be able to report that we have investigated parking tickets, and that we have looked into the contract we hold with Chartwells, demanding better prices and service. "ASISU CONNECTS WITH STUDENTS" will be a likely headline in December due to the open forums and improved communication. As second semester approaches, we will be working hard on a budget to present to the State Board of Education and we will keep our increases as low as possible."



Brown/Wheat: "This December, you can look forward to a more informed, and more functional student body, and an association with a much greater level of participation and student voice. You can look for efficient parking solutions, and textbook reform (to name a few)."



7. If another department brings another huge project like the Student Recreation Center, before the Senate, would you support a student wide vote again?



Knapp/Olson: "Yes!"



Brown/Wheat: "Yes! Just as I stated last year when I ran for Vice-President, I am committed to giving students a voice and to letting their voices be heard!"



Briggs/Bloxham: "Definitely yes! We will always believe that the students should have a voice as to where their fees will be spent to improve their university."



8. Sum up your campaign platform, and state why you are the best candidates.



Brown/Wheat: "Bryan and I are the best executive ticket candidates because we have the experience and proven leadership skills to bring REAL changes to ASISU. We will be proactive and hard working! Food service, parking, books, tuition theses issues are just a starting point for what the association is really capable of. We will take on bigger issues like uniting with students across the state to fight for affordability and quality in Idaho higher education!"



Briggs/Bloxham: "Fresh voices -While being involved in student organizations and campus activities, (we) are the only candidates who aren't part of the current student government's controversial policies and decisions of this past year. Keep ISU affordable - We are already in the process of doing something about it. Belief in diversity -ISU has many students and groups from various social, cultural, international, and educational backgrounds, and that should be taken into consideration when making decisions. Empowering Students -Students need to be heard on issues of campus wide importance, and solicited for their input. And finally, a balanced ticket -Mixes 1 Traditional & 1 Non-Traditional student to reflect the growing age diversity at ISU."



Knapp/Olson: "Our platform is 'Students First' on every issue. We are paying attention to the issues that are most important to students. We are the best candidates because of our in-depth leadership experiences and our priorities. We genuinely care about all students, and that's what matters."



Also on the executive ticket are candidates for ASISU -Idaho Falls Vice President. Current Idaho Falls Vice President, Noah House, has been at almost every senate meeting in Pocatello, and represents the students on the ASISU President's Cabinet. Katie Anderson and Scott Cannon are the two candidates running for the position. Here is what they had to say.



1. Why are you running for ASISU Idaho Falls Vice President?



Anderson: "I have been a member of Program Board since April of 2005 and I have worked very hard for the students of University Place, but I feel I can do more. It is important to me to address the concerns of students and deal with them effectively."



Cannon: "I want to bring a strong and clear voice to student government, representing the needs of Idaho Falls Students."



2. What is or are the big issues facing the students in Idaho Falls?



Cannon: "Student Fee usage in Idaho Falls, child care for Idaho Falls students, and…adding resources for students in Idaho Falls. All three of these issues need to be addressed in helping Idaho Falls students succeed at ISU



Anderson: "In my opinion, the lack of classes is a huge issue for students. Not only are there too few classes being offered, but these classes are often only offered at certain times during the day. Also, I would address the issues of tuition and book store costs to help make higher education more affordable for students."



3. What do you hope to accomplish as the ASISU Idaho Falls Vice President?



Anderson: "I hope to get more students involved in the events and programs that ISU offers. I hope to make students' experiences at ISU not only educational, but fun and interesting as well. It's important to me to address the issues and concerns of students and to use my position to make ISU students' experience a memorable and positive one."



Cannon: "(To) find more ways to help students succeed at ISU in Idaho Falls. If that means more classes offered or more child care provided I want to help students get the best education they can, because after all, they are paying for it."



4. What do you want students to know about you?



Cannon: "I want my fellow students to know that I understand the non-traditional, as well as the traditional ISU student. It doesn't matter how you define yourself, we as students are paying hard earned money to attend classes. The least we should expect is our student leaders to voice our views and deeds. And that is what I will do if elected."



Anderson: "I would like students to know that if they choose to elect me as Vice President, I will do everything in my power to make a positive impact on University Place. I am confident that students would find me to be very responsive and effective when it came to addressing their concerns and making a difference in their experiences with ISU."



This is the first year that students in different cities throughout Idaho, taking classes at ISU, can vote for their student representation. All candidates are passionate about serving the students of ASISU, and they all come from various backgrounds and experiences. The polls open at 8 a.m. today and close at 6 p.m. on Feb. 22 (tomorrow). All students get to vote for the ASISU President and Vice President, as well as senators in their respective colleges. Those who have taken a class in Idaho Falls are eligible to vote for the ASISU Idaho Falls Vice President.

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