Get to know the candidates: STUDENT ADVOCATE
LES ESSIG
Student Advocate candidate Les Essig says he’s a problem solver who will represent students well to Utah State University’s administration.
* Why should students care about ASUSU?
[ASUSU reps are] going to be the ones who solve problems for students on a daily basis and represent students to the administration, Essig said.
* What research have you done for your platform?
Essig said he chose several specific issues that he wants to target.
“I feel like I’ve really done my homework,” he said.
The first problem he would like to fix is students having to leave their backpacks outside the USU Bookstore without security.
Essig said there are three possible solutions: Install a security system at a cost of $20,000 to $30,000. Install lockers outside the bookstore that would cost a quarter but would refund the money when the key is returned. Have students pay a small fee to a student group to watch their bag. This could be done as a fund-raiser for a student group, he said.
Essig also wants to help residents in Aggie Village who are not allowed to park during football games where they have paid a fee to park, because the track team sells their parking spots as a fund-raiser. He said he would like to create another fund-raiser for the track team so the residents would not have to lose their parking rights.
Creating legislation to determine when it is appropriate for on-campus organizations to e-mail the entire student body is another plan for Essig. Mass e-mails are an increasing problem for students, he said.
“Some legislation needs to be written so we know what can and cannot be sent out.”
Essig said he would like to improve the efficiency of the campus shuttles by restructuring some routes, such as the South Campus route.
* How do your platform and qualifications relate to the position you are running for?
“I’ve served on a wide variety of groups on campus,” Essig said, noting LDSSA, the Student Alumni Association, USU club soccer team, and the Phi Beta Lambda business club.
He said he volunteered during the Howl and Mardi Gras.
–royburton@cc.usu.edu
SCOTT MORTENSEN
Student advocate candidate Scott Mortensen says his leadership experience sets him apart as the right man for the job.
* Why should students care about ASUSU?
Mortensen said in the past it has been hard to see the difference that ASUSU has made, but that means that students “should care this year more than any other year. There’s certain things that every student wants to change. We can do it if we’re all together,” he said.
If he’s elected, Mortensen said he will “represent [the students] in all the issues.”
* What research have you done for your platform?
Mortensen said he studied the charter to know what a student advocate is responsible for, like the Student Fees Board and the Ombudsman Committee. He also spoke with the past two student advocates.
* How do your platform and qualifications relate to the position you are running for?
Mortensen has served as LDSSA president, been on the USU club soccer team, and served as a College of Business ambassador and on ASUSU committees.
Mortensen said students should be able to choose on a case-by-case basis what student fees they are willing to pay for.
“It’s OK to raise fees when [the fees are] helping out the whole student body, when students are happy with what they’re paying. It’s not OK when students are disappointed” with what they have to pay, he said.
Mortensen’s platform also includes creating an information area in the TSC staffed by a university employee to inform students of current topics and actions being taken by ASUSU and help them get involved, as well as answer general questions.
He said he will spend as much time as possible on campus “so that every student can get a hold of me personally. That’s what I think students want.”
Another point of Mortensen’s platform is improving customer service in the Cashier’s and Registrar’s offices. He wants to take a survey of what students want and “come up with a new idea. There’s got to be a new way.”
Mortensen’s final platform point is terminating Box Elder bugs on campus.
“It’s hard to get an education when you have a bug on your book,” he said.
–royburton@cc.usu.edu