Senate candidate James Cajete, a senior majoring in computer engineering, said the biggest problem facing ASUNM next year basically is student apathy. “A lot of the funding questions allocations and safety issues, but student involvement it the biggest problem right now,” he said.
All registered undergraduate students can vote for ASUNM’s president, vice-president and Senate today, and decide on two constitutional amendments that deal with Student Publications funding and Senate vacancies.
Senate candidate Lorenzo Martinez wants to be a voice for students so he can do what they want.
Despite an unprecedented show of disapproval from students, the Board of Regents Finance and Facilities Committee unanimously approved a 8.3 percent tuition increase for next year during its monthly meeting Monday.
Angie Wilcox, a junior majoring in secondary education, wants to better acclimate herself with student organizations she doesn't belong to and serve students on campus.
Amanda Viltrakis, a junior who is a pursuing a bachelor's in undergraduate studies, wants to represent students.
Juan MelÇndez, a business major who is a sophomore, said he decided to run for office because he realized few students he knew were aware of what is happening in student government.
The sight of laughing children, playing with multi-colored blocks or building sand castles makes it hard to notice pieces of stucco that have crumbled off the walls at the UNM Child Care Center.
About 20 students marched to Scholes Hall chanting "No tuition increases" after an election rally sponsored by M.E.Ch.A in Smith Plaza Monday. Their voices echoed through the administrative hallways as they knocked on and tried to open doors that said, "Please Come In," but were locked.
Sen. Steve Aguilar said he wants to be vice president of ASUNM because the position allows for a lot of communication with students and senators, which is something he wants to improve.
Grant Nichols, a junior at UNM, is running for Senate because he hopes to use his previous experience with ASUNM to benefit the University.
Celestina Torres doesn't feel those leading student government are addressing issues that matter to her, so she decided to do something about it.
Sen. David Padilla, vice-presidential candidate on The People slate, said that getting involved with and adjusting to a new student government has pushed him to keep learning and working for students.
Jennifer Onuska is a freshman at UNM and is running for ASUNM Senator with The Connection slate.
Two-term Sen. Heather Gabel wants to make one more run for it.
UNM sophomore Jaqueline Farrington is running for office because she felt no connection to student government, wanted to know what is going on and hopes to make an impact on her community.
Senate candidate Kendra Jackson wants her voice to be heard, even if she is a freshman. Jackson, who is majoring in elementary education, said she is running for Senate because she feels the student body on campus needs to be represented.
The GPSA Council passed next year's budget and elected Bill Dials as its next council chairman during its monthly meeting Saturday. Dials had been running for council chairman unopposed until Brigette Buynak, a law school representative on the Graduate and Professional Student Association Council, decided to run as a write-in candidate at the last minute.
Graduate and professional students can vote for GPSA president today through April 12. The candidates, Rachel Jenks, Keith Valles and Dathan Weems, are second-year law students. The ballot has no other issues or amendments on it this year.
Nikki Miles is running for Senator because she said UNM needs an African American student who will represent the needs of minorities.
Solutions by The State News
