Angelina Flores, a sophomore majoring in nursing, decided to run for office because she is a nontraditional student who is not involved in any organization but wants to make a difference. “I don’t know much about ASUNM, and I need to educate more of the general public about ASUNM and make sure their voices are heard,” she said.
Nick Huffmyer is running for a Senate position because he thinks his college experience is too short not to. “I really need to capitalize on the time I do have and what better way to get involved than ASUNM,” he said. Huffmyer, a junior majoring in criminology, said that being a senator means accurately representing what he and the other senators feel for student interests and to represent the average student who is not a member of the Associated Students of UNM. He said his desire to be an honest and fair representative and his will to work hard qualifies him to be a senator.
Sen. Andrea Cook, presidential candidate on The Connection slate, wants students to know about ASUNM campus safety and the various services available at the University. She is working to create a mandatory eight-week safety awareness course for transfer and freshmen students to learn more about acquaintance rape and alcohol among other topics.
M. Nicol†s Cabrera, a sophomore double majoring in Communication and Journalism and Spanish, is the only independent candidate running for the ASUNM Senate. “I just believe students have a right to have a independent voice that reflects their needs, and I didn’t agree with the slates, so I am running alone,” he said. He describes an ASUNM senator’s as a person who is servant leader. “A senator is a person who unselfishly works on behalf of others without expecting anything back in return,” he said. Cabrera said he feels qualified to serve as a senator because of his dedication to students and previous experience serving in local, state and national offices with DECA, an association of marketing students. If elected, Cabrera said his top priority would be to streamline the election process by letting students vote online via I-TEL-UNM. “I know GPSA already does it and I think it would be a good way to make elections easier on students,” he said. Cabrera said he also would like to consistently visit students, faculty, staff and organizations; establish an ASUNM calling card with proceeds benefiting a charitable civic organizaiton; improve access to alumni activities and career services; and promote ASUNM as an outlet for aspiring student leaders. He said the biggest challenge that ASUNM will face is working with students. “I think it’s a matter of bring the Senate back down to earth and maintaining the student government as it’s intended to be,” he said. When asked to name three members of the Board of Regents, the president of the University and three student groups, Cabrera named Begay-Campbell, Anaya and Herrera as regents; Dr. Gordon as president; and Phi Eta Sigma, Hispanic Honor Society, and American Indian Science and Engineering Society.
Senate candidate James Cajete, a senior majoring in computer engineering, said the biggest problem facing ASUNM next year basically is student apathy. “A lot of the funding questions allocations and safety issues, but student involvement it the biggest problem right now,” he said.
All registered undergraduate students can vote for ASUNM’s president, vice-president and Senate today, and decide on two constitutional amendments that deal with Student Publications funding and Senate vacancies.
Senate candidate Lorenzo Martinez wants to be a voice for students so he can do what they want.
Despite an unprecedented show of disapproval from students, the Board of Regents Finance and Facilities Committee unanimously approved a 8.3 percent tuition increase for next year during its monthly meeting Monday.
Angie Wilcox, a junior majoring in secondary education, wants to better acclimate herself with student organizations she doesn't belong to and serve students on campus.
Amanda Viltrakis, a junior who is a pursuing a bachelor's in undergraduate studies, wants to represent students.
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.
The sight of laughing children, playing with multi-colored blocks or building sand castles makes it hard to notice pieces of stucco that have crumbled off the walls at the UNM Child Care Center.
About 20 students marched to Scholes Hall chanting "No tuition increases" after an election rally sponsored by M.E.Ch.A in Smith Plaza Monday. Their voices echoed through the administrative hallways as they knocked on and tried to open doors that said, "Please Come In," but were locked.
Sen. Steve Aguilar said he wants to be vice president of ASUNM because the position allows for a lot of communication with students and senators, which is something he wants to improve.
Grant Nichols, a junior at UNM, is running for Senate because he hopes to use his previous experience with ASUNM to benefit the University.
Celestina Torres doesn't feel those leading student government are addressing issues that matter to her, so she decided to do something about it.
Sen. David Padilla, vice-presidential candidate on The People slate, said that getting involved with and adjusting to a new student government has pushed him to keep learning and working for students.
Jennifer Onuska is a freshman at UNM and is running for ASUNM Senator with The Connection slate.
Two-term Sen. Heather Gabel wants to make one more run for it.
UNM sophomore Jaqueline Farrington is running for office because she felt no connection to student government, wanted to know what is going on and hopes to make an impact on her community.
Solutions by The State News
