Shouting Out

Nothing was debated during the first in a series of ASUSU presidential debates Wednesday in the TSC. Instead, the four candidates spoke cordially through megaphones, rarely disagreeing as they answered questions from students, current ASUSU members and members of this year’s elections committee. With primary voting closing Friday afternoon, Zach Ames, Laurel Evans, Cam Lee and Noah Riley used the time to explain their platforms for change to the crowd of students. While there was no debate on the importance of each issue, candidates placed different emphasis for their platforms. Ames said he would try to create a separate patio for smokers. Lee said he would work to increase the number of student jobs. Evans said she would try to extend computer lab and library hours. Riley said his main goal, if elected, would be to increase exposure of ASUSU by moving the organization’s offices from the third to the second floor of the TSC. Previous ASUSU administrations have worked to move administrative offices out of the student center, but Riley said moving the ASUSU offices would not be a conflict because the student body could benefit from improved relations with ASUSU. With platforms presented, one student asked how to check against empty promises. Lee called out former candidates for leaving campaign promises unfulfilled after being elected. Evans said the only check on such a problem is integrity. “If you have integrity, you’ll do what you said you would,” she said. Ames, however, said he isn’t making promises until he can better understand the position. “I can only promise I’ll do my best,” he said. Evans, who currently serves as the ASUSU programming vice president, said her experience with student government would make for a smoother transition. “I can represent what students want and I’m not afraid to stand up to the people who can help us get it,” she said. Other candidates said their fresh faces would bring fresh ideas. A majority of the crowd displayed the partisan affiliations through different colored T-shirts. But with more than 200 people roaming in and out of the room during the event, Ames said it was a success. “I would have walked out in the middle if this had just been everyone’s committee trying to make one candidate look good and everyone else look bad,” he said. “I was disappointed with some of the candidates who answered questions vaguely,” Eddie Norton, a sophomore majoring in accounting, said. “If you’re president, you’ve got to have answers … This really swayed my vote.” Winners of the primary election will be announced Friday afternoon.-acf@cc.usu.edu

Laurel Evans (Michael Sharp)

Noah Riley (Michael Sharp)

Zach Ames (Michael Sharp)