What issues do ASU students care most about?
Tempe students answered this question, among others, Thursday during a “sidewalk debate” between the Undergraduate Student Government’s presidential candidates.
The debate was sponsored by USG and held outside the Memorial Union to allow students to meet and participate in a question-and-answer forum with USG presidential candidates Jacob Goulding, Tyler Bowyer and their respective running mates.
Both candidates were asked questions from members of the crowd and answered them while sparking some spirited, even heated, debate between the opposing tickets.
Secondary English education sophomore Victoria Morrow had the opportunity to ask both Goulding and Bowyer what their plans were for increasing the number of ASU students registered to vote.
“I think it is a good idea to internalize the process in order to reach out to more students,” Morrow said. Both campaigns are in favor of increasing the number of registered voters on campus. USG volunteers registered about 1,300 students this past year.
Current USG President Jacob Goulding, who is running for re-election, stressed his team’s experience in running student government.
“Our platform is designed to bring efficiency to every single student,” he said. “We have the experience to bring you the results you want.”
Goulding and his running mates Tina Mounlavongsy and James Baumer discussed their support for more funding for student clubs and campus safety, among other things.
Bowyer, in his closing statement, concentrated on his team’s political connections and fresh ideas while urging students to vote for him.
“We all have extensive leadership experience with a proven record of standing up for what we believe in,” Bowyer said.
He and his running mates Ally Arts and Will Abbott have built their platform around providing transparency in all USG activities as well as bringing students closer to the Arizona Legislature through their political ties. Bowyer was recently appointed by Gov. Jan Brewer to serve as student regent on the Arizona Board of Regents. His running mate, Arts, is a special assistant for Congressman Ben Quayle.
“I hope students make an informed decision about who the better candidate is on election day,” economics and finance sophomore Peter Mardian said.
To learn more about both campaigns and their respective platforms, visit tyler4asu.com and votegoulding2011.com.
Reach the reporter at lawalke4@asu.edu
