Tony Godfrey, presidential candidate
Junior political science and English major from Burleson
SA involvement: One year as Foster Science Building representative; one year as sophomore senator; serving as vice president this year
Vision: At ACU there is no red and blue. There’s not that one issue that people say, “I’m not going to vote for this guy because I know that he is “red” on this issue and “blue” on this issue. We’re all purple. We’re all here to serve the student body. It’s about who’s best to serve the students and advocate for their interests. I think what you need to realize about school politics is that you are voting for a person not a policy.
The student activity fee is going up next year. Where is the additional money going? If students were to express dissatisfaction on issues such as a fee increase, how would you represent that to the administration?
The key is never to go into these conversations with administrators and say, “We’re right, and you’re wrong,” but always try to meet in the middle because we’re both a little right and we’re both a little wrong. I think utilizing that approach will do a lot of good for students as a whole.
Campus is supposed to be under construction for at least the next two semesters. What is SA’s obligation, if any, to help students through this process?
I would like to work with faculty and administrators to revise the way parking is assigned on campus. I would like to see us open up the Campus Center parking lot, maintain the library parking lot for faculty and staff, maybe even put in one row of student spots. That’s a problem that in regards to the Recreation and Wellness Center that’s not going to go away after those two semesters.
Samuel Palomares, presidential candidate
Junior communications major from Elsa
SA involvement: Serving as junior class senator this year
Vision: I think it’s time for a new leader – a leader with a strong vision who isn’t afraid to empower students to raise hard questions, to make bold suggestions and to promote transformative ideas for SA and the administration to seriously consider. My vision for this year, if elected, is to create a unified campus where SA works with student leaders, with administrators and the university at large to create unity.
The student activity fee is going up next year. Where is the additional money going? If students were to express dissatisfaction on issues such as a fee increase, how would you represent that to the administration?
With more money, hopefully, the Students’ Association will be responsible to do more things for its students. For students who express dissatisfaction, the first think to do is tell your SA representative. The students are SA, so they should be free to feel empowered to challenge us and challenge the student fee. It starts with getting involved and then taking it to the administration, and that’s where I think a strong leader will come in – someone who is ready to express on behalf of the students the concerns they might have.
Dr. Schubert will take office this summer. What does a new administrator mean for SA?
He’s new, we’re new, and I feel we can work hand-in-hand becasue we’re both learning together, so I look at it as a very positive thing.
Scott Adrian, vice presidential candidate
Junior political science and communications major from Glendale, Calif.
SA involvement: Helped write recycling legislation freshman year; served for one semester as sophomore senator
The student activity fee is going up next year. Where is the additional money going? If students were to express dissatisfaction on issues such as a fee increase, how would you represent that to the administration?
It’s quite upsetting to realize the student activity fund doesn’t fully go to student activities. Right now around $15,000 goes just to executive salaries. I’d rather it go to the students than a few privileged individuals who get to serve. Then, I’m the employee of the students; I’d rather be the servant of the students.
Campus is supposed to be under construction for at least the next two semesters. What is SA’s obligation, if any, to help students through this process?
I think making the available facilities more available is a good idea. If ACU wants to make the future better, we shouldn’t forget about the present. The administration has the ability to work with McMurry and Hardin-Simmons to make those facilities available for the students who want to work out, who want to swim, who want to have fun in different aspects.
Jared Elk, vice presidential candidate
Junior political science major from Savoy
SA involvement: Freshman and sophomore senator; serving as Chief Development Officer this year
Next year is the first year for 100 percent undergraduate iPhone/iPad saturation. How will SA use this technology to benefit students and the association itself? Is it important to maintain face-to-face contact in the midst of technology?
It’s very important, and that’s one thing we don’t want to lose. We’ve been doing a lot to let students easily access what’s going on in SA, streaming meetings, hopefully voting. At the same time, its important to have real conversations with real students, get their opinions and get people in a room to brainstorm.
Campus is supposed to be under construction for at least the next two semesters. What is SA’s obligation, if any, to help students through this process?
During this next year, it’s important to have basketball and racquetball tournaments at different places to encourage everyone to continue a level of health and recreation. We need to make sure those opportunities are still available and we don’t lose sight of what’s been mitigated for this certain amount of time.
Carson Henley, candidate for treasurer
Sophomore biochemistry major from Colleyville
SA involvement: Freshman, sophomore senator; member of two committees, including finance committee this year
Next year is the first year for 100 percent undergraduate iPhone/iPad saturation. How will SA use this technology to benefit students and the association itself?
The current vice president initiated a forum for the students where they gave their opinion about issues going on on campus and with the full saturation of all the mobile technology, instead of having a forum once a month, we could have a forum constantly going. I think it will bring a new aspect and change how SA operates.
How do you plan to address funding issues? Will you do anything different when dealing with student groups or the budget process?
We had over $100,000 requested last fall from all student organizations, and we could only give out $35,000. We have to decide who gets what, how much each organization gets, and it creates a lot of stress on people. I will try to make ethical and responsible choices about who gets the money and how much, but we don’t have a million dollars.
Chris Shim, candidate for treasurer
Senior finance major from Atlanta, Ga.
SA involvement: Two years as off-campus representative; serving as member of the appropriation committee this year
The student activity fee is going up next year. Where is the additional money going? If students were to express dissatisfaction on issues such as a fee increase, how would you represent that to the administration?
I can understand the resentment. There’s going to be a natural resentment whenever you’re going to raise tuition or activity fees. But on the flip side, I think a lot of things at ACU are possible because of student activity fees. Honestly, I think what students put into it is what they’ll get back.
As treasurer you will have to deal with distributing funds for student groups. How do you plan to handle that responsibility?
I would really like for every president and their treasurer to come to a mass meeting, and we can discuss openly how is this money being spent and who needs it, how they need it. To be able to have that open dialogue about what it takes to have a budget go through and what’s possible and what’s not possible.
[youtube 20b-NxS2kdI 510 312]
Video/Editing by Jimmie Jackson
