Juan MelÇndez

Juan MelÇndez, a business major who is a sophomore, said he decided to run for office because he realized few students he knew were aware of what is happening in student government.

"I would really like to get more involved and relate important information so that UNM as whole can get more involved," he said.

He describes the role of an ASUNM senator as the voice of the people.

"I'm there to represent them, voice their opinions and vice versa," he said. "I also need tell them what's going on in Senate because there is no way they can tell me how they feel about things without knowing what's going on in their own school."

MelÇndez said his interest in helping UNM and involvement in a variety of student organizations makes him a strong candidate.

"I just see so much potential," he said. "Plus, I was in the nuclear engineering part of the Navy, so I know what it means to put tons of time and effort into something. I know I have the determination and passion to make things happen."

MelÇndez said his top priority, if elected, would be to get more students involved in student government.

"I want them to know what's going on and have more of a say in what happens on their campus," he said. "I want them to be more aware, and I want to be held accountable.

He said his priority of improving communication also forms the biggest challenge ASUNM faces next year.

"I'm also concerned about safety, and I know it's the same issues being brought up every year but that means that we're not doing the right thing," he said. "We need to see the bigger picture and start hitting the roots of some problems rather than just concentrating on the smaller aspects that don't matter as much."

When asked to name three members of the Board of Regents, the president of the University and three student groups, MelÇndez named Jack Fortner and Eric Anaya as regents; William Gordon as president; and the Black Student Union, Hispanic Engineering Society and M.E.Ch.A. as student groups.