Meet the Candidates: President
Brandon Sorensen
What year are you in school? What are you studying? Where are you from?
I am a junior dual majoring in marketing and public relations and then with an international business certificate, and I am from Salt Lake City, Utah.
What does it mean to you to be an Aggie?
For me, what it means to be an Aggie is someone that finds a sense of community but is also able to adapt to things that come in their path. I mean, when you look at the name Aggie itself, it comes from an agricultural background of farmers that, you know, have to adapt to what their surroundings are to make good with what they have. I think that’s something that still stays true to spirit here at Utah State — is everyone has a great sense of community and continues to just push forward and whatever they pursue.
As USU searches for a new university president, as a bridge between the student body and upper administration, what qualities would you look for in the new president?
I think the biggest thing to look for in a new university president, while approaching it, is to make sure that this president that’s coming in understands Utah State’s culture and traditions — being able to have someone who is going to be able to well represent the students and their interests. But I think the main focus is a president that is willing to adapt to their surroundings but also focus on the students and to get to be able to know the students because at the end of the day, that’s our university’s business — is supporting students.
What do you plan to do to include and empower the students at the statewide campuses and regions?
I think the best way to support our incredible statewide institution is to advocate for them at a higher level. Obviously, being a Logan student, I don’t know the needs or the culture of the campuses around the state, and it was an incredible opportunity during our statewide tour to be able to visit the students there and better understand how their culture and their campus work. But at the end of the day, that’s the reason that we have representatives from the campuses and from the regions — is because they know their students best and are able to form a good relationship with them to be able to advocate for them here in Logan and with higher administration.
If you don’t win the election, how do you plan on staying involved at USU?
Involvement, for me, is something that I’ve had since my first year here at Utah State — my freshman year as a part of the HURD and events and SAA, throughout my time, getting involved in USUSA and in my colleges. There are so many ways to stay involved outside of just traditional student government, and though that’s been my life for my entire time here at Utah State, I think it’ll be completely easy to be able to continue to stay involved and being able to meet more students here.
If you performed at PoBev what would you perform?
I would have to think about the song, but I would probably sing. It’s something that I haven’t done since high school, but it’s always fun to be able to bring that back for other people.
Logan Greene
Logan Greene was contacted by The Utah Statesman for an interview but failed to respond.
Candidates to remain on the ballot due to lack of withdrawal
Nate Flake and Garret Lawton failed to provide a headshot to USUSA and The Utah Statesman.
Both were contacted by The Utah Statesman via email for interview, to which Flake responded, “I’m not sure either how I came to be either that I am signed up to run for office.”
Lawton followed up with the email, “I think my friend may have taken my A# and signed me up as a joke. I did not apply in any way for this.”
The Utah Statesman then contacted the USUSA elections email inquiring about candidates who names appear on the ballot but fail to officially undeclare. The elections email responded with the following statement.
“Unfortunately, these individuals have not directly contacted us to withdraw from their races. We are unable to remove them from the ballot unless they reach out to us at this email to formally request their withdrawal. Those that have requested to be dropped from the ballot have been.”
While it is possible for a candidate to remain in the race without completing the required training, their campaign materials — such as their photo and platform — will not be included in any marketing materials. However, their name will remain on the ballot until they officially request to drop out.
“Because all candidates have received training materials through this email, been provided access to our in-person information session, and have readily available access to the Bylaws, the process of dropping out has been made accessible. We would encourage anyone whose name is listed incorrectly to contact us immediately,” USUSA elections wrote.