Current ASUNM President Jennifer Onuska said if re-elected, her experience this year gives her the ability to "hit the ground running" to better serve students.
Onuska, running with the Horizon slate, would be the first Associated Students of UNM president to serve consecutive terms since Alberto Solis, who served from 1994-96.
"I know the administration, the ins and outs of the University, how it works and how they work," Onuska said. "I understand the inner-workings of the University which usually takes a large portion of a president's term to understand, so basically I feel the learning curve will be that much greater."
Onuska, a junior political science major, said that she is very proud of her accomplishments this year, specifically the initiatives she was able to implement to help students.
"Establishing the Community Experience executive agency, keeping student tuition as low as possible and helping get the tax-free textbook bill passed are all big accomplishments," she said. "Also, I think it was very important this year to re-establish and rebuild our relationship with the Daily Lobo."
Onuska added that the weekly columns she and Vice President Heather Gabel wrote were crucial in keeping students informed on activities that affected the student body.
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Onuska said the Horizon slate is full of diligent, hard-working individuals who would build upon this year's success.
"These are people that won't rubber stamp things," she said. "They question what is in front of them but use rational thought to make intelligent decisions. We are also a very diverse group with over 40 student organizations represented."
As president, Onuska said she would focus on the issues students are most concerned with.
"I think ever-rising tuition is the greatest concern," she said. "The new regents seem to be willing to come up with innovative plans and alternatives and I would enjoy being part of that initiative."
Onuska added that she is committed to the idea of a "prep week" in which students would not be subjected to new material or testing in classes the week before finals.
"I formed a prep week committee made up of students and we made tremendous progress to get an opinion poll on the ballot," she said. "If I am re-elected I will head the effort to get a three-year pilot program for prep week."
Filling executive agency positions with qualified candidates would also be one of Onuska's priorities, she said.
"I think I have a great opportunity to build upon this year's success," Onuska said. 'I would like to advertise for student government positions before the summer is over to gain added interest. I believe we can come up with innovative marketing ideas for the executive agencies."
Onuska said her year as president has been exciting and she looks forward to the opportunity of using her knowledge for another year.
"I've learned that there is a time when you can't take things too seriously," she said. "Sometimes you have to step back and laugh at things to put things in perspective."
Onuska correctly identified Maria Griego-Raby, John "Mel" Eaves and Larry Willard as regents; HESO, the Honor Student Advisory Council and the Cricket Club as student groups; Brian Foster as provost and Chris Garcia as president.
