KEY plans to open doors of communication at UNM

Editor,

On Wednesday, you will have the opportunity to elect your new undergraduate student government leaders in the ASUNM elections. We want to educate you and convince you that your vote will not be wasted on our slate, KEY.

KEY stands for opportunity, community and responsibility.

KEY's first goal is to plan and develop a new Communications Student Service Agency, LoboCast, by using today's technology. LoboCast's goal is to inform students about University events, student symphonies, lectures, symposiums, cultural celebrations, sporting events and other possibilities via video and audio Webcasts. The agency would manage content using iTunes University, a free, hosted service that would provide easy access to educational content, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We feel that as the voice of the student body, it is our responsibility to communicate with all students in a manner that is more effective and efficient than an e-mail. Mobile Campus, an instant text messaging service, would also be used to provide up-to-the-minute University events, information and news.

KEY's second goal is to further enhance leadership opportunities and networking possibilities for students that would further enhance prospects for graduate school and careers. The ASUNM Lobo Representative Internship Program and Career Success Initiative would offer students an opportunity to develop leadership skills while educating and learning from student leaders. The Career Success Initiative would collaborate with student organizations and the Alumni Association to enhance networking and mentorship possibilities with UNM alumni. The long-term goal of this project is to offer a leadership learning experience, such as LeaderShape or other leadership training programs, where students would learn to have "a healthy disregard for the impossible," as we become problem solvers of 21st century issues.

KEY's third goal is to further build a sense of community by hosting a Students First Forum, an event that would be organized by the ASUNM Senate Outreach and Appointments Committee. The Students First Forum would foster ASUNM outreach and awareness by offering students an opportunity to learn about ASUNM, but more importantly provide all students a chance to raise concerns on all subjects. A sense of shared governance and shared responsibility would be built, since 20 students do not have all the answers to University issues. But by working together, students can build solutions.

KEY's fourth goal is to continue to lobby the state Legislature for a 0 percent increase in the tuition credit and seek the acquisition of reoccurring funds for the University's libraries. We will also use Student Voice Survey Campaigns, a statistical service that provides student response data that would aid ASUNM in the decision-making process.

Not only do we have solid, achievable and well-thought-out goals, we also have diverse, intelligent, responsible and well-rounded individuals on our slate. KEY cannot be categorized.

KEY's candidates represent many aspects of the University, state and greater Albuquerque area via campus life and community engagement. KEY includes two resident advisers and two U.S. Senate congressional interns. It also has members of the ASUNM Senate, Mortar Board Senior Honorary Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, University Honors Program, Model U.N. World Affairs Delegation, ASUNM Community Experience, Scribendi, Residence Halls Association, Multicultural Greek Council, the Greek community, Albuquerque Committee on Foreign Relations, Relay For Life and Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium.

This means it's time to get out and vote. We need you. On Wednesday, when you vote online, remember that the doors to UNM will open if you vote KEY.

Louis A. Jeantete,

ASUNM presidential candidate

Ilene Strain,

ASUNM vice presidential candidate

Adrian Carver, Alex Riebli, Christina Lovato, John Smeltzer, Leon Vigil, Molly Maguire-Marshall, Sevy Gurule and Tess Goering, ASUNM senatorial candidates