Presidential candidates debate for final time

In the final ASUSU presidential debate Thursday, candidates Keenan Nuehring and Erik Mikkelsen each stressed why they are the better candidate to preside over the student body in the 2011-12 school year.

Lacey Nagao, ASUSU public relations director, asked a slew of formalized questions that both candidates were asked to respond to, which was followed by questions from the audience and the debate ended with closing statements.

 

The first question asked put the candidates on the spot in regards to tuition and fee increases in connection to the price of quality higher education. Nuehring said he believes it is more important to maintain quality in college students’ educations and raise fees when absolutely necessary.

 

Mikkelsen said he also believes maintaining a quality education is more important than concerns over fee increases. He said maintaining quality over cost will give students a competitive edge in the job market.

When the issue of Common Hour was brought up, Nuehring said he is in full support of it because he sees a number of benefits that could come from programs and events inserted into the allotted 12-1 p.m. time frame. The Common Hour bill has been passed, so Nuehring said he sees no choice but to make the most of it. He said he sees career fairs, networking luncheons and students involving themselves in programs where they can receive certificate for leadership, during this time.

 

“Anything we can do to give students a competitive edge is what we need to use Common Hour for,” Nuehring said.

 

Mikkelsen said he supports the implementation of a common hour, citing job competitiveness by allowing students to network with professionals as one of the main reasons for his support. He also said he plans to promote common hour among the student body by utilizing the media, faculty support, and student advocates.

If elected president, Nuehring said he would like to see a “State of the Students” address organized to improve transparency dealing with student issues. He said pioneering this address would be beneficial to all students in that they can confront their leaders and tell them how they have not been meeting the students’ needs. He said he will hold all ASUSU officials accountable for their inherited duties.

 

“If they are not doing what they are supposed to be doing, let’s get rid of them,” Nuehring said.

 

Mikkelsen said in his experience as a fraternity president, the most effective way to ensure other officers are doing their duties is to sit down with them individually and discuss their goals versus their accomplishments. Should he be elected president, he said he plans to use this approach with ASUSU officers to ensure they are keeping their campaign promises.

 

In recent Utah legislation, a proposal concerning limited tenures to professors was brought to the table, and the presidential candidates were asked to share their views on this issue.

 

Nuehring said he believes when professors receive tenure they become “comfortable.” It is a positive thing to review professors and make sure they are doing the best job they can.

 

“Even though the tuition we pay is lower than a lot of schools, we still pay it, and we still deserve the best education that we can get,” he said.

 

 

Mikkelsen said he does not yet know much about the proposal but plans to learn more about it.

 

Thomas Jefferson’s integrity inspires Nuehring, he said, while Mikkelsen looks up to Abraham Lincoln because he surrounded himself with opposition to find new solutions to problems.

 

“He did not surround himself with a bunch of yes-men,” Mikkelsen said.

 

As far as activity planning is concerned, Nuehring said he would appreciate more students attending planning meetings to offer input. He said ASUSU committees are thrilled to hear students’ two cents pertaining to activities they would like to attend on campus.

 

“I would also like to get the student advocate saying ‘What do you want done?'” Nuehring said.

 

Mikkelsen said he plans to involve more campus groups in events planning to ensure more events are available that would be of interest to more members of the student body.

 

“I definitely want to encourage more diversity in events planning,” he said.

 

An audience member asked the presidential candidates how they will improve involvement among USU students, and Nuehring said after speaking with Student Services vice president James Morales, he found sending e-mails to students is possible, and a plausible device for spreading programming news

 

“I want to continue to help students understand that getting involved will help them grow academically, it will help them socially and help them grow as a person,” Nuehring said.

 

Mikkelsen said he wants to use two methods to increase student involvement: Staff the ASUSU info booth full-time with ASUSU officers to answers students’ questions. The second to allow students to meet with the president’s cabinet about involvement questions.

 

“I want to use the cabinet as a one-on-one task force,” he said, “then the cabinet can connect the students to the people who can help them become more involved.”

 

Nuehring has a difficult time allowing others to help him, he said, which is a weakness he needs to overcome, and realizes he will be more successful if he spreads responsibility among all ASUSU appointed and elected leaders. Mikkelsen said he has had difficulty with time management, but through his experience as a fraternity president has learned how to delegate responsibilities.

 

“Voting Keenan means voting experience … it means quality leadership,” Nuehring said.

 

In his closing statement, Mikkelsen said he was grateful for the support he has received from the students. He also said he has had multiple leadership roles around campus which have prepared him to be ASUSU president.

“Voting for me means voting to put students first,” he said.

 

– rouchelle.brockman@aggiemail.usu.edu

– catherine.meidell@aggiemail.usu.edu