AS candidates intensify debates Student candidates fight for top student government spots
THURSDAY March 8, 2012 Volume 97, Issue 87 W W W.T H E D A I LYA Z T E C . C O M
facebook.com/dailyaztec twitter: thedailyaztec
SCAN CODE FOR MOBILE CONTENT
SDSU’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT N E W S PA P E R SINCE 1913
INDEX:
Beth Elderkin managing editor
Antonio Zaragoza photo editor The Associated Students executive office debates were held yesterday and Tuesday in front of Hepner Hall. During the debates, several candidates discussed issues related to life at San Diego State, including A.S.’ recent restructuring, the smoking and skateboarding bans and voter turnout. The presidential and vice presidential debate, held yesterday, pitted current A.S. officers against two non-A.S. members, both of whom said students should vote for “nobody” or “none-of-the-above,” in order to protest the current election system. Current A.S. Vice President of Finance Rob O’Keefe discussed the importance of fiscal responsibility in A.S., as well as his dedication to improving student representation in A.S. through restructuring. “One of the big things for Associated Students is really with the students ... About 20 percent of the student body is actively involved. Our challenge as executive officers is to see how to connect with the other 80 percent of the students,” O’Keefe said. In regard to the current skateboarding ban, presidential candidate and Comedy Improv Team president, Sarah Malone, dressed in an Uncle Sam outfit, suggested adding a “skateboarding test” in order to make sure those who were in the lanes wouldn’t harm anyone.
SPORTS
SDSU will defend its MW Tournament crown against Boise State. Executive VP candidates debate alongside presidential candidates in front of Hepner Hall. Wed., March 7, 2012 | ANTONIO ZARAGOZA, PHOTO EDITOR
“How it works is that if you are truly passionate about wanting to skateboard on campus, you should have to take the time to come down to the A.S. office to skate in a straight line, you should be able to do an olley and you should be able to do at least one jump,” Malone said. Joe Stewart, who ran for A.S. president last year, said one of his main concerns regarding A.S. was how the organization has failed to truly engage with the student body in order to encourage more voting. He compared the amount of students at SDSU who vote in student elections
to students at the University of California at San Diego. “At UCSD you see flyers and banners, they actually set up voting booths around campus. They have a turnout rate of about 35 to 40 percent in their elections. We average about 11 and a half percent,” Stewart said. In response, Vice Presidential candidate and Diversity Officer Chanelle McNutt said A.S. has done a great deal to provide opportunities for Aztecs to engage in student politics, but that doesn’t always guarantee results.
“Last year when you ran you had the message of students not caring or getting involved but in the words of my adviser Trimaine Davis, ‘If you have an observation, you have an obligation,’ I think it’s really easy to point the finger and say A.S. is not doing their job but what have you done to improve the process,” McNutt said. On Tuesday, 10 candidates spoke in regard to three open vice presidential positions: vice president of external affairs, vice president of finance and vice president of university affairs. Elections will be held March 16 through 19.
Bill gives students state govt voice Carl Hensley staff writer Student voices will be heard because of a new bill announced Feb. 23 by the Sacramento State University Student Actions Committee. Assembly Bill 1965 will give greater representation to students when the California State University Board of Trustees votes on future tuition increases. Tuition across the CSU system has increased 191 percent since 2004 and cuts to programs can be seen at all CSU campuses. Dr. Richard Pan, a University of California Davis professor who represents Sacramento State in the Assembly, introduced AB 1965.
“This bill will help give students, parents and everyone concerned with skyrocketing tuition greater confidence that the system of CSU governance is accountable and will prioritize student education first,” Pan said. “Ex-officio members of the Board of Trustees are among the strongest supporters of students, but usually have competing governmental duties at the State Capitol in Sacramento that prevent them from being able to travel all day to attend board meetings in Long Beach.” AB 1965 would allow the ex-officio members, which include the governor, lieutenant governor, superintendent of public instruction, speaker of the assembly and CSU chancellor the ability to appoint a staff member to attend board meetings to vote on their behalf. The new bill will
allow these members of the Board of Trustees to cast their votes that support students through representatives they have appointed to take their place. The CSU Board of Trustees is also made up of one representative from the alumni associations, 16 members appointed by the governor, one tenured CSU faculty member appointed by the governor and two CSU students appointed by the governor. “AB 1965 has been introduced in the State Legislature and will be voted on in policy committees before going to a full vote in the State Assembly and the State Senate,” press secretary for Pan, Brian O’Hara said. “Students should call their local State Assembly Members and State Senators to let them know they support AB 1965
because it will promote student interests on the CSU Board of Trustees.” The two students appointed by the governor each serve a staggered two-year term. They were appointed from nominees proposed by the California State Student Association. “AB 1965 is a great example of what we can accomplish by really engaging the system and changing it for the better,” De’Anthony Jones, student and member of SAC, said. AB 1965 will ensure that if the student with full voting powers is not present at a Board of Trustees meeting, the other student trustee would be able to vote on the issues. “Having more Trustees on the Board who are against fee increases will hopefully result in fewer fee increases in the future,” O’Hara said.
H E A LT H & F I T N E S S Mindful eaters avoid binging by regarding each bite with zen-like contemplation.
E N T E R TA I N M E N T
2
3
6
W E AT H E R : SUNNY HIGH: 76 LOW: 47 SUNSET: 8PM