Campus safety, improving Senate accessibility and selecting a new student regent topped the list of items 21 candidates debated during the student government election endorsement forum Tuesday.
Candidates from The Voice and Senergy slates said that if elected their priorities would be campus safety, extended library hours, improved relations with the Daily Lobo and enhanced visibility and accessibility for senators.
The Voice slate candidates said they would like to create a life skills course for all incoming freshman, while the Senergy slate candidates would focus on creating a new executive agency geared towards community service.
Candidates were given brief speaking times to outline their goals, then were asked various questions from the audience.
The Elections Commission asked each candidate what qualities they would look for when composing the list of candidates for the next student regent.
"A student regent has never been an undergrad - I think an undergraduate with a background in the social sciences would be really beneficial," said Andrew Steele, a Senergy slate Senate candidate.
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Voice Senate candidate Aaron Salas said that leadership would be an important quality.
"You have to be able to lead, so people will be able to follow you," he said.
ASUNM Vice President Steve Aguilar asked each Senate candidate which executive agency they would join if elected because senators are required to work with at least one agency during their term. Agencies include the Elections Commission, Homecoming, Crafts Studio, Southwest Film Center, Student Special Events and the Lobbying Committee.
Several candidates, confused by the question, named standing committees instead. The ASUNM standing committees are Steering and Rules, Finance and Presidential Appointments.
Former Sen. Grant Nichols, representing the student groups Phi Gamma Delta and The Community Experience, asked each candidate how they would vote on Amendment One, which will increase student fees by $6 per semester if passed.
"We've been working on that bill for quite a while," Nichols said. "I think it is extremely important for each candidate to be familiar with the legislation."
Every candidate, except one, was in favor of passing the bill. Sarah Ciccutello, of the Voice slate, said she was not involved in athletics or the Greek organizations and would like to represent the average student. She declined to answer Nichols' question.
After the candidates were questioned, the president and vice presidential candidates were given time speak about their goals.
Current Sen. Heather Gabel, a vice presidential candidate on the Voice slate, said her experience during three terms of office gives her much needed experience.
"I've gotten to see three vice presidents in action and been able to decide what I would do and what I wouldn't do," she said. "As pro-tem of the Senate this semester, I was able to run one Senate meeting and that helps."
Running mate Sen. Lisa Marie Gomez said one of her top priorities would be improving the student government's communication with the Daily Lobo.
"I think building a good working relationship with the Lobo will give the students direct accessibility to ASUNM," she said.
Sen. Jennifer Onuska, the Senergy presidential candidate, echoed Gomez's sentiments.
"I would keep the public more aware," she said. "Communication needs to start early, especially concerning tuition increases and lobbying issues."
Sen. Jena Marquez, Onuska's vice presidential running mate, said she hopes to follow the "successful path UNM is currently on." She said her main priority would be creating a seventh executive agency that would focus on community service.
The undergraduate student government election is on April 10.
