Get to know the candidates: ARTS & LECTURES VP
TOM ROBINS
Tom Robins, a finalist for Arts and Lectures, wants to make sure those looking at his platform understand that he feels scheduling speakers is a given — having a vote on the Executive Council and what he could do with it is what Robins really wants to publicize.
“I think if you are on student government, you need to be informed about everything,” he said.
* Why should students care about ASUSU?
Robins said he feels he’s willing to stand up for the rights of his fellow classmates. He cited his leadership in the opposition of HB 331 and garbage rates for students in Logan as activities that have shown his desire to help others.
“I think when students get together on something, they can make a difference,” Robins said.
* What research have you done for your platform?
With the idea of two free hours of parking in the terrace on a student’s birthday, Robins said he has already made a presentation to the director of parking. Along similar lines, Robins said he has talked to campus police about having a security station at night.
“I’m not just pulling ideas out of my head and saying maybe I’ll do them,” he said. “I’ve already talked to the people I need to talk to.”
Is Robins’ platform something students are interested in? He said he has talked to his peers about having an author come in for an informal discussion about his book and has received positive feedback.
* How do your platform and qualifications relate to the position you are running for?
Robins said he feels he is qualified for the position, because he has worked to bring speakers such as Gov. Mike Leavitt and Sen. Bob Bennett to USU. He said he knows how to work with schedulers and plan events.
* As far as speakers, are you looking for quality or quantity?
Robins said he wants to bring in quality speakers because the students have already paid for them. He said he thinks students want good speakers who can add to their education. He also said he wants to bring in a female speaker.
–juag@cc.usu.edu
BETHANY YOUNG
Bethany Youngs, a finalist for Arts and Lectures, said she has known since September that she wanted to run for the ASUSU office.
* Why should students care about ASUSU?
Youngs said she thinks students should care because it is about the students.
She said a lot of people think ASUSU is just about the Executive Council, but Youngs said she believes it is really about everyone at Utah State University.
* What research have you done for your platform?
Youngs said she handed out a survey at an Arts and Lectures event to find out what students are interested in for next year.
She said students said the reason they didn’t attend some events was because they didn’t know about them.
“[I want to] spread advertising more across campus,” she said. “I feel a lot of what we have done this year has been great at the TSC, but I feel it could really spread across the rest of campus.”
Youngs said in the survey, she received a variety of responses on who the students would like to see come speak at USU. The fact that there were no female speakers this year was not done on purpose, but it is something she would like to focus on bringing in for next year.
* How do your platform and qualifications relate to the position you are running for?
Youngs said she has not listed anything in her platform that doesn’t have to do with Arts and Lectures. She said her main goals concern diversity, advertising and student involvement.
“I have such a passion for the arts, film, history and sports — everything that goes into what we look for in speakers,” she said. “It’s been a great program and part of [the office] is about continuing that tradition of excellence, as well as raising the standard.”
* As far as speakers, are you more concerned with quality or quantity?
Youngs said she feels a balance between the two can be accomplished, although it is something past Arts and Lectures vice presidents have dealt with. They want students to attend, and perhaps only a high-profile name can do that, she said.
Youngs said she is planning on finding out student response to what they want after this semester’s high-profile speaker, Spike Lee, in late March.
–juag@cc.usu.edu