San Diego State’s successful student union referendum raised the stakes this year in the upcoming Associated Students executive vice president election.
The next executive vice president will head the facilities board , which oversees student union fees, assigns office spaces to student organizations and plans the future development of A.S. facilities. This makes the position of executive VP a powerful one, as this student will be a guiding light in the development of the $44 million Aztec Center rebuild.
It is no wonder why both candidates – economics senior Brian Hamilton and child development junior Amanda Venegas – have prominently included the new student union in their platforms. Each is promising to reach out to students to gain insight for the project.
“In the whole A.S. circle there’s a lot of quality people, and all the people I’ve met in A.S. have been fantastic individuals,” Hamilton said. “But it doesn’t hurt to get more people involved; the more people we have in here making decisions and voicing opinions the better.”
Both candidates mentioned that they would initiate marketing campaigns to encourage students to join decision-making committees as a way of creating a successful student union. Venegas said she wants to create a Web site where students can submit questions to A.S. executives, and she plans to hold office hours each week at which any student could meet with her.
“We go to a school with 34,000 people, and sometimes I don’t feel like people feel the school is working for them,” Venegas said. “And they need to know there is someone out there interested in helping them out.”
Both Hamilton and Venegas boast extensive experience acquired at SDSU.
Hamilton is a member of the facilities board, former president of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity, an Interfraternity Council executive board member, a former Residence Advisor and has served on the referendum marketing team.
Venegas is the vice chair of the facilities board, and has served as vice president of marketing in the Alpha Phi sorority, is a member of the A.S. president’s marketing committee and a member the Panhellenic Association. She has also done work with the Women’s Resource Center and has three years experience in A.S.
Venegas said she thinks university traditions – such as Azfest and Homecoming – are very important parts of campus life and spirit. She plans to initiate new lasting traditions but also promote and preserve what SDSU already has.
“I think advertising what we have in Aztec Center (is important), so that not only people in residence halls or that live near campus, but everyone can know we have these amenities,” Venegas said. “I’ve heard students say ‘We have a bowling alley?’
“I think if a lot of people knew, they’d probably take advantage.”
Hamilton said he wants to try to reorganize the Aztec Athletic Center to alleviate problems of overcrowding and make it easier for student organizations to interact with the Centers for Student Involvement.
He also said he wants to promote school spirit by expanding some existing programs. For example, Hamilton praised A.S.-organized tailgate parties at sporting events and the opening of the Aztec Center for a big-screen showing of certain football games.
“We’ve done great in athletics this year, but comparatively to different schools in California and across the country, we’re kind of lacking on that,” Hamilton said. “And I think it would be really good for A.S. to come forward and do everything we can to promote unity and pride for our campus.”
Both candidates pledged to do their part to keep SDSU safe.
Hamilton said he would promote the existing Good Neighbor Program and install security cameras in the new student union. The GNP is a volunteer group of students who respond to non-emergency police calls such as noise complaints.
Venegas promised she would fight to keep the Campus Escort Program – which provides escorted rides across campus after dark – fully funded.
Students who want to learn more about the platforms of these two candidates can watch a debate Monday at the Aztec Center Outdoor Patio.
MEET THE CANDIDATES
Amanda Venegas
Qualifications:
? Facilities board vice chair
? Alpha Phi sorority vice president of marketing
? A.S. president’s marketing committee member
? Panhellenic Association
Platform:
? Making sure Modern Space promises are fulfilled
? Continuing campus traditions
? Create office hours to make A.S. more accessible to students
Brian Hamilton
Qualifications:
? Facilities board member
? Former Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity president
? Interfraternity Council executive board member
? Served on referendum marketing team
Platform:
? Working for student input in Aztec Center rebuild
? Alleviate Aztec Recreation Center overcrowding
? Support programs that foster school spirit
