Heather Gabel

Two-term Sen. Heather Gabel wants to make one more run for it.

Gabel, who has been a senator since 1999, said she wants another go round because she has enjoyed her tenure and making differences for students.

"I just didn't want to give that up," she said.

Gabel, a junior majoring in undergraduate studies, said that if elected she wants to unify ASUNM and the students. She said she would try to break down a lot of the barriers she feels have been placed in the last semester or two.

"I want to be there for the students and I want to hear everyone's voice," she said. "I want to be there for students to feel they can come talk to me or e-mail me about issues that concern them."

Gabel said tension has grown between students and student government, which has made this campus a place for students to attend classes, but not involve themselves in anything else. She said the UNM campus is not very friendly in regards of informing students where to go if they have problems because it's not advertised well.

She said a senator should have a connection between students and letting them know that they have more to say about their education. She said she would continue to work on issues she has pressed in her last two terms and keep making herself available to students.

Gabel said she is always at her office hours and has encouraged Vice President Chris Mansfield to advertise the senator's office hours in the Daily Lobo.

"The big thing is students don't know where to go," she said.

Gabel said the current group of senators have worked well together, bridging gaps between senators and student groups and working as a team. She said she would like to continue team building in the Senate, making sure all senators are on the same page and have similar goals.

"We should help each other and not work against each other," she said. "I'd like to help unify the senate so we can work more as team instead of 20 individuals."

When asked to name the president of UNM, three Board of Regents and three student groups, Gabel identified William Gordon as president; Toliver, Willard and Anaya as regents; and the Chess Club, the Nursing Student Association and the Cricket Club as student organizations.