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They want to be your president:
ASBSU executive candidates
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With President Obama finally settled in the White House, it’s time to pick the next president. The Associated Students of Boise State University election, April 8 and 9, determines our student body president, vice president and senators. Be informed: These people could have as much impact on your student life as Obama has on the country at large. They shape policy, create a budget and serve as the public faces of Boise State. Here’s what to know before you vote.
Trevor Grigg: President
Joe Bunt: Vice President
The current president and vice president, Grigg and Bunt emphasize their knowledge of how ASBSU works and understanding of university policy.
“We know what can get done and what can’t,” Grigg said. “We’re realistic.”
The two emphasized the long learning curve of figuring out how the student government works, and say they can bypass all that and take immediate action.
“We’re ready to start on day one,” Bunt said.
When he speaks, Grigg is persuasive, locking eyes and deliberately choosing his words. He imparts a sense of purpose. Bunt is more relaxed, piping in infrequently while Grigg speaks, adding his opinion. The two form a comfortable team. It’s obvious they know how to work together; they create synergy as they dialogue together.
That team commits to holding student fees to a minimum. Grigg helped keep the student fee request at $8, down from the initially proposed $90 while serving on the student fee hearing committee. He promises students won’t pay for what they don’t want or need.
Other issues the candidates support include more scholarship money, building campus spirit and tradition and tax-free textbooks.
“We also want students to let us know what they care about, and we’ll work on their behalf,” Grigg said. “It’s important they be involved in the process as well as us – we’re here to support them.”
Evan Meriwether: President
Chase Johnson: Vice President
Meriwether and Johnson exude optimism and passion for Boise State and student government. Both appear invigorated by the challenges ahead, and hopeful that they can shape Boise State into a vibrant and active campus.
While Johnson has no previous student government experience, Meriwether served as an ASBSU senator at-large in 2008. During his time as a senator, he believes he learned what students need on campus, and after a year to make connections with the administration and members of the student body, he feels he can lead the school.
“I think it’s most important that student voices are heard,” Meriwether said. “Most people don’t know all the opportunities they have on campus, the clubs they can join, and about things like ASBSU. They all deserve to know.”
Meriwether wants to reinstate a policy called “Shout Out” in which ASBSU members man a booth in the Student Union and academic buildings to talk to a broad range of students.
Johnson believes all students on campus should feel welcomed.
“We have a lot of international students and non-traditional students,” he said. “They sometimes get lost in the shuffle, and we want to keep that from happening.”
The candidates also seek to lower campus crime, keep an open line of communication with the administration and pare down student fee increases.
Michael Olsen: President
William Broocks: Vice President
“We’re outsiders to ASBSU, just like 95 percent of the students at Boise State,” Michael Olsen said. “That puts us in a better position to understand the average student.”
Olsen and Broocks are running as write-in candidates because they didn’t submit election packets in time. They blame the mistake on the lack of transparency in student government’s operations.
“There was an ad in the Arbiter, but I don’t exactly get that delivered to my house,” Olsen explained. “Once again, the average student doesn’t know what’s going on.”
As active members in the Model United Nations, both Olsen and Broocks believe they can interpret the feelings of the student body better than the more seasoned executive candidates because that’s how they see themselves. Their political platform is simple: let average students in on how the student government works and let them get involved if they want to.
Broocks said he would like to send out periodic e-mails to the student body as updates from ASBSU, and to make sure its Website is both accessible and functional. While Broocks admits he has no political experience, he sees it as an advantage.
“I know how to really listen, and then act accordingly,” Olsen said. “I don’t have an agenda to push on students, I just want to support them.”
Olsen and Broocks also hope to decrease parking costs and organize a textbook swap.
Joe Huxhold: President
Anthony Podvin: Vice President
“We agree that student fees should be down, but the heart and soul of this university are its clubs, its newspaper, The Pulse and everything,” Huxhold said. “If you take that away, then you’re taking away a big part of this university.”
Huxhold and Podvin, write-in candidates, understand that executive jobs are a balancing act. They must balance the budget as well as communication between the students and the administration.
“I think the ASBSU is that buffer zone between . the students and the administration at Boise State,” Huxhold said.
To create ties to students, Huxhold said he would distribute his e-mail address.
“I will get back to you within three days whether I’m on vacation in the Bahamas or wherever.” He calls it his “three day promise.”
Huxhold and Podvin also stress making Boise State ecologically friendly. They plan to meet John Gardner, adviser of the Sustainability Club, to brainstorm campus improvements and how to be more eco-conscious.
They believe sustainability is both a world and local issue right now, and providing students information so they can get involved is key to progress.
AMANDA STEWART AND COLBY STREAM
Arbiter Staff