In the Polytechnic Student Union building, the Undergraduate Student Government's Polytechnic executive tickets took the podium last week to debate their stances on student engagement and campus alienation, and to provide why they believe they are the best candidates to lead students.
Shreya is running her ticket with Roberto Ortiz-Gonzalez and Clare Wiegman.
The Gowda ticket is comprised of Hillery Gowda, Ronald Hufuncia and Nicole Irwin.
READ MORE: Meet the two tickets for the 2025 USG-P presidential election
The presidential candidates are Shreya, a current USG-P senator and the chair of the appropriations committee, and Gowda, the current vice president of services.
Similar stances, but how is each ticket different?
Both tickets have campaigned on ideas to increase the Polytechnic campus status and implement a better connection between the students and leadership in USG-P. Austin Mcintire, the USG-P elections commissioner, asked both tickets how they will differ in their approach if elected.
"Regardless of whether or not both tickets are reaching toward the same goal, solely we are here to benefit the students," Hufuncia said.
Shreya said she couldn't highlight substantial differences between the tickets, but she is certain that her campaign is set in its values.
"I could definitely tell you that if you vote for us, you will see the changes that we have laid out for you as of now," Shreya said. "As well as (all the) feedback that we get from you to make the campus better, to make the community better, not just for in-person students, but for online students as well."
Advocating for students through policy
Ortiz-Gonzalez, currently a USG-P senator and the appropriations committee co-chair, is representing the Shreya ticket as the candidate for vice president of policy. Hufancia is also a senator for USG-P and is representing the Gowda ticket as the candidate for vice president of policy.
In the USG-T debate, many candidates expressed they want more advocacy for underrepresented students, especially after the dismantling of diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the federal level.
READ MORE: USG Tempe hosts executive ticket debate, candidates face off on key campus issues
The USG-P candidates for vice president of policy also brought up this issue.
"If I'm applying to college and I don't see a mention of a community that I'm part of, I wouldn't want to attend there," said Ortiz-Gonzalez, referring to ASU's removal of some of its DEI-related webpages.
Hufuncia, referencing the Gowda ticket, said they want to include more spaces for student communities on campus that "would be able to facilitate a campus of inclusion rather than a campus of alienation."
A role of the vice president of policy is to work closely with the University administration and the Arizona Board of Regents.
Ortiz-Gonzalez has been campaigning on a promise to hold ABOR accountable to become more transparent with the students of the Polytechnic campus, citing the recent tuition surcharge of $350.
READ MORE: Arizona Board of Regents is seeking $732.2 to resolve budget cut consequences
"We shouldn't have people saying we have to pay more, just because ASU lost funding," Ortiz-Gonzalez said.
Hufuncia said he was the president of the student council at ASU Prep Poly STEM High School. He said this experience helped him navigate being a leader of several clubs that have "rules that are demanding where we need new policies."
He also said it prepared him to work in student government and advocate for the students at the Polytechnic campus at the state level.
Advocating for students through service
Wiegman, who is representing the Shreya ticket, and Irwin, the current director of outreach for USG-P who is representing the Gowda ticket, are running for vice president of services.
The two candidates for vice president of services agreed that USG-P needs to ensure Polytechnic students get the same level of support as students on other campuses. In order to achieve this, they said they must communicate better on the resources and spaces they already provide.
Irwin said students don't know they are able to come in and study in both the USG-P office spaces and the Changemaker Central space, leading to students not staying engaged with their student government.
While there are indoor spaces for students to use, Wiegman said outdoor spaces could also be an option.
"The garden is a great resource, but I really think that we need to add more spaces that students can be out in nature and can work together," Wiegman said.
President's stances
Gowda said USG-P often promotes changing the image of Polytechnic and redefining its label as a "dead campus."
Shreya proposed implementing specific traditions to help students feel like they belong more, because they may not feel included or have the campus pride that other campuses across ASU may have.
In response, Gowda said the current leaders have done a lot this year to help reframe the role of the Polytechnic campus at the University.
"Especially this year, our team has received great feedback, letting us know that Poly, what used to be known as a 'dead campus,' isn't anymore," Gowda said.
She said she wants there to be open communication with other campuses to let those students know what the Polytechnic campus has to offer them.
Gowda said USG-P needs "to have complete 100% transparency (and) put accountability whenever needed" to solve the biggest issue facing the campus — communication.
Shreya said the largest problem of the Polytechnic campus is awareness, adding that USG-P could help.
"We can bridge that gap by having more open sessions," Shreya said. "Town halls, open sessions and all of that to raise awareness not just about events but about resources that are just lying there in plain sight for students."
Edited by George Headley, Abigail Beck and Katrina Michalak.
Reach the reporter at elbradfo@asu.edu and follow @emmalbradford__ on X.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on X.
Emma is a sophomore studying journalism and mass communication and political science, with a minor in business. This is her third semester with The State Press.
