Statesman hosts debate for USUSA Executive Leadership Board candidates

The Utah Statesman hosted a debate for the Utah State University Student Association Executive Leadership Board candidates on Feb. 15. 

The event was an opportunity for USU students to become more familiar with the students running for USUSA student advocate vice president, executive vice president and president. 

The debate was broadcasted on Aggie Radio, live streamed to the Statesman’s YouTube channel, and was moderated by Statesman staff members Darcy Ritchie, Jacee Caldwell and Bailey Rigby. 

The debate was also held in conjunction with the voting period, which was open to USU students on all campuses between Feb. 14 and Feb. 15. 

Students first had the opportunity to hear from student advocate VP candidate Ethan Conlee, a junior at USU. Conlee was running for reelection and ran unopposed. 

The student advocate VP is responsible for representing student concerns in both local and federal government, student government and student services. The student advocate VP is also the chair of USU’s Government Relations Council. 

Conlee was asked about what he was not able to accomplish this year and what approach he will take to accomplish it if reelected. 

Conlee shared the progress he has currently made in his role and shared his goals of increasing funding for on-campus resources. 

“We’ve had a lot of really good conversations with legislators,” Conlee said. “We didn’t have all the pieces and information in front of us for this session, but going into next year we think we’ve got a really good shot.” 

Conlee also talked about increasing the means for which students can express their concerns to officers. 

Students next heard from executive VP candidates Sam Shaw and Abe Rodriguez. Shaw is a sophomore at USU, and Rodriguez is a junior. 

The executive VP is responsible for overseeing the Academic Senate and the University Student Fee Boards and assumes the role of president when the president is absent. 

The executive VP candidates were asked what they believe to be the most important responsibility in the position. 

Shaw said that he believed listening to be the most important responsibility of this position. 

“A leader cannot be an effective leader without accurately representing their students,” Shaw said. “That’s what I truly want to do.” 

Rodriguez said collaboration and teamwork were the most important responsibilities. 

The candidates were also asked what experience they had outside of USU involvement that had prepared them for this role. 

Rodriguez said his role in his family motivates him in preparing for this position. 

“Both of my parents were immigrants,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve had a lot of firsts in my life, and I look up to my parents a lot and want to make them proud.” 

Shaw talked about how moving pushed him outside of his comfort zone.

Joseph F Myers

Executive VP candidate Sam Shaw answers a question at the Executive Leadership Board debate.

Lastly, students heard from Presidential Candidates Clara Alder, Niyonta Chowdhury-Magaña and Mikey Henderson. Alder and Henderson are both juniors at USU and Chowdhury-Magaña is a graduate student. 

The president serves as a member of the USU Board of Trustees, appoints the public relations director and chief of staff, oversees implementation of legislation and represents USU at all events. 

The presidential candidates were asked about what they felt was the best way to address concerns regarding sexual assault at USU, following concerns from many students. 

Henderson addressed that USU’s SAAVI office needs better access to funding, and said perpetrators need to be held accountable in these situations. 

Alder talked about creating awareness regarding these situations, and also touched on USU’s sexual violence resources. 

Chowdhury-Magaña talked about the importance of education and action. 

“I focus a lot on the resources that we already have,” Chowdhury-Magaña said. “What we need to focus on is marketing them better.” 

The candidates were also asked about the legacy that they hope to leave behind at USU. 

Chowdhury-Magaña said she hopes to leave behind the legacy that with the right mindset, we can achieve a lot. 

Henderson said that he wants to leave behind the legacy that he is a loyal and trustworthy leader. 

Alder talked about how she hopes to leave behind a legacy of empowerment. 

“I believe that empowered leaders empower others,” Alder said. “As president, I want to open up this circle and bring others in.” 

Emily Hill, a senior at USU, was in attendance at the debate and said it was intense. 

“It was a lot more cutthroat than I expected,” Hill said. “They were asked questions that made them question their opponents, and I wasn’t expecting that.” 

Many of the questions for all of the candidates regarding the relationship between USUSA and USU’s other statewide campuses and centers, following USUSA’s representation expanding to USU Eastern in October. 

Hill also said that she agreed with much of what the candidates had to say about statewide inclusion. 

“As someone who attended classes at the USU Ephraim, I often felt like I wasn’t actually a student at USU,” Hill said. “It’s nice to hear that efforts are being made to show that USUSA hears us and sees us.” 

Photo by Joseph F Myers