GPSA presidential candidates B. Lee Drake and Lissa Knudsen sparred during debates last week, so the Daily Lobo decided to sit down one-on-one with the candidates to talk about their platforms. GPSA elections are being held online through Thursday.
Daily Lobo: What things happening around UNM made you want to run for GPSA president?
Lissa Knudsen: I really feel like the fact that students' voices need to be heard. It sort of relates to the election that we're going through right now in that it's just really important to me that there's somebody to represent the graduate and professional student population, whether it be to the Board of Regents or even on the Student Fee Review Board. I just feel that there's a real need for that, and I felt like I was willing to do that.. I love this University, and I'm dedicated to making sure that graduate students have the best possible experience here, that the University produces the best possible research, and that they go out and really end up becoming New Mexicans who contribute to the state and to the communities. It's just because I'm really dedicated to the state and to the population.
DL: How do you plan on helping student voices be heard?
LK: I think that it's really important that we use the existing structures as far as communicating with Board of Regents, the president and the administration. I also think that it's really important that the graduate student leaders go into the departments, go into student group meetings, and actually meet with the students.. I've made a point to go over to the North Campus, because I think that's a group that we really need to build bridges with. In the last few years, I don't think they've had their voice heard as much or participated at such a great level.. I think that's why it's so important that we have all the motions on the ballot. That's how students are going to be heard.
DL: What's the first thing you're going to do if you become GPSA president?
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LK: I'm going to have a representative cabinet that can help me in leading and advise me in a way that it's not just me by myself, it's them also. I want representation from the law school. I want people from all walks of life, every socioeconomic status, background. I want to make sure we have local New Mexicans on that cabinet leadership, so I make sure I'm not just making arbitrary decisions, but I'm actually listening to what the community has to say and what the students have to say. I want that cabinet to be one that is an honest opportunity for feedback so that if I make mistakes - I absolutely will likely make mistakes - they will be able to tell me and we can grow from that.
DL: In the same way that people have accused your opponent of being too easygoing, people have said that you're too assertive.
LK: I think it's important that the administration try and build bridges with us. I'm not sure that it should be all on students to do the accommodating. I actually think it's time for them to extend the hand and listen to us, and really, really make us feel like our voice is not only just heard but incorporated into the decision-making process. Sometimes, you have to fight. Sometimes there are issues that, if you don't fight, don't get resolved. They don't get addressed. I don't think that I'm overly tenacious. I think that I'm courageous. I think that sometimes you need somebody to speak truth to what's going on. It's not always easy, but you have to have somebody who is willing to do that.
~Pat Lohmann
