GPSA presidential candidate Marisa Silva told students she will make the graduate student voice heard next year.
During a forum Wednesday in the SUB, students spoke with Silva, the sole candidate running for the GPSA presidency, about her priorities and plan of action for next year if she is elected.
Affordability of Education
GPSA Elections Chair Tim Borror called on Silva to address the accessibility and affordability of education at UNM.
Borror spoke about the increase in student fees and tuition that students will face next semester, which would include a $50 per student increase in student fees for the Athletics Department and a 3.75 percent increase in tuition.
Silva said students need to work more collaboratively with the Student Fee Review Board. She said SFRB is already in place to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability for the way organizations are spending student fees, but students need to be more involved in SFRB decision-making to ensure that education is affordable.
“I have been working closely to learn about programs already in place to support students financially,” she said. “I think that organizing and fundraising to support Lobo students is absolutely critical.”
Silva said the administration needs to be more willing to accept the recommendations of the SFRB.
GPSA Involvement at a State Level
During the forum, Silva said she will be present at all lobbying events that involve UNM, but will focus on reintroducing Senate Bill 16, a bill that gives tax credit to business that hire UNM graduates.
“I’ve already spoken with this year’s lobby chair on what strategies to work on to improve the chances of UNM being heard,” she said. “He provided recommendations and I have been improving on those recommendations.”
Silva said she will use the lobbying strategies to increase UNM’s voice at lobbying events and urge the senate to expand the bill beyond the STEM or heath care fields to include more graduates.
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Strengthening Relationships with Students and Administration
GPSA Representative and SFRB Chair Matthew Rush looked to better understand Silva’s perceptions of GPSA’s relationship with the Board of Regents and how she plans to strengthen the relationships between students and the administration.
Silva said leadership is a service that is built upon cooperation and personal relationships. She said she will put in place an open-door policy so that every student’s voice is heard and respected.
“I will invite the administration to attend student activities so that they can hear directly from students what student concerns are,” she said. “I think creating a better connection between students and administration is a critical step.”
Silva said positive relationships will help bridge the gap between students and administration.
“I think it is important to build and maintain healthy relationships with ASUNM, SFRB, the Board of Regents and the administration,” she said. “I will listen first and then take those concerns in a positive and respectful manner to the administration.”
Silva said her primary concern is serving students.
“I already have a survey on my Facebook asking students about their primary concerns,” she said. “It is my priority to ensure that all students are respected.”
GPSA President and SFRB Chair Katie Richardson called on Silva to maintain relationships with official University entities with opposing viewpoints and asked how Silva will use those relationships to make changes that are meaningful to students.
Silva said she will include students’ voices in the administration’s decision-making process. She said including realistic problems and concerns will influence the administration’s decisions.
“Personal stories and testimonials are very compelling,” she said. “The administration will be more likely to have a more sympathetic ear when they understand how their choices will affect students.”
GPSA elections
April 9-12
Online voting through GPSA website: unm.edu~gpsa
