San Diego State students will choose from four candidates for Associated Students vice president of university affairs next week.

The 5-year-old position was developed to provide a student advocate to be involved with the establishment of university policies affecting SDSU students. The vice president of university affairs has a voting seat on the University Senate and chairs the university affairs board.

The candidates – chemistry junior Sabrina Brown, social science and Chicano/a studies senior Edmundo Garcia, international security and conflict resolution senior John “Bruce Lee” Ly and business management junior Brad Webb – agree that there is a need to increase student involvement and that there is room for improvement within the A.S. organization. Still, the candidates’ priorities and goals clearly separate them.

The Daily Aztec: What are your goals for vice president of university affairs?

Brown: I have three main goals. My first one is to improve student-faculty relations. I hope to help diversify faculty, as well as make it easier for students to approach their faculty. My second one is to increase community relations – with A.S. especially. We don’t seem to be out in the community as much as we should be. (My third goal is to) go into schools and develop programs for students. We are becoming a more diverse campus but the minorities don’t have requirements completed to get into SDSU. I want to develop programs so they are on the right track.

Garcia: My goals are to be a liaison between the students, university and community. I plan on doing this by having forums that include student organizations and faculty and community members. I really want to open up dialogue. I also want to promote diversity through events showcasing music and art. We should have more cultural events, music on the patio and cultural nights put on by student organizations.

Ly: I would like to curb violent crimes such as rape, armed robbery and assault. Campus safety is very important. People should feel safe and have a safe learning environment to participate in extracurricular activities without having to fear being the victim of a crime.

Webb: The one thing I really thought about and put a lot of time and effort into is “Plug into Life,” which is an idea about a system to make SDSU not so much of a commuter school but where they can really get involved. There is the club fair at the beginning of the year, but it can be daunting to freshmen and transfer students. It is a Web-based portal where students can learn about clubs (and) organizations can post information. It’s a much more user-friendly way of getting involved.

DA: Do you think there is room for improvement within A.S.? Explain.

Brown: Outreach – there is a lot of disconnect between A.S. and faculty. During the Modern Space referendum, some faculty voiced opposition and said A.S. is not serving students. I think if the faculty came and talked to us, some of those concerns would be alleviated. We can poll students better, as well. I think we didn’t reach the commuter students during the referendum. A.S. council members need to go outside and talk to organizations.

Garcia: Communication between A.S. and the general SDSU population needs improvement. There is a lot we can do with the A.S. budget. We need to spread the resources out and make sure everyone receives the benefits from them.

Ly: There is always room for improvement. The Good Neighbor Program, for example, has room for improvement. There were problems with getting volunteers in the beginning but it has improved over the year. There is not enough awareness of the program. I would like to increase its exposure. Most people I’ve talked to said the program is effective. Webb: Part of the problem with A.S. is that it only represents the select few who get involved and know how to get involved. I don’t think it accurately represents the entire student body. This is where something such as “Plug into Life” would come into play.

DA: What do you think are the main issues facing the university in the upcoming year?

Brown: I think the biggest issue is funding. It always is. Financial aid and class availability – the budget in general is the biggest issue. I think free speech is becoming a big issue. Recruitment and retention is another issue. Attracting minority students and keeping them is important.

Garcia: As the campus continues to grow, class size, registration and the overall quality of our education is one of the biggest factors we have to look into. We have to work with administration and communicate students’ needs.

Ly: Campus crime is an issue because I feel there is no place for it on campus. I think crashing and making sure there are enough classes is another issue. Aztec Center focus groups and planning, the Mission Bay Aquatic Center lease and the Paseo project are also big.

Webb: The Paseo project is a huge one. I’ve only been here a little while, but it seems to have a huge impact on everything you see. There has been a lot of talk about free expression. It is a huge issue, too. It’s really important to protect the students’ right to express themselves and the ability to speak out.

DA: Do you believe that the university’s priorities and those of the student’s are the same? If not, where do they differ and what needs to be done?

Brown: Overall, we have the same priorities, but the way they’re being implemented is different. There needs to be more communication. There is such a disconnect currently that can be solved through open dialogue and compromise.

Garcia: The university’s priorities are not always the same as the students’. We saw that in October 2005 with the free speech issue. I think a lot of times the university wants things to run smoothly and it doesn’t want any trouble. But sometimes students will have to address it.

Ly: For the most part, the priorities are the same. Of course there are extremes on both sides. There are students who aren’t here for an education and faculty who just run through the motions. But 99 percent of the university’s priorities are looking out for students.

Webb: It’s hard to say what students’ priorities are. A.S. strives to have the students’ best interest in mind. It needs to put pressure on the administrators to do what’s in the best interest of the students. It is a give-and-take relationship between administration and the students.

DA: What are your goals/visions for the new Aztec Center? How will you work to ensure student involvement?

Brown: I love Modern Space. I see a community being built. I see it as a community builder, something to have pride in and bring friends to. I see more open space for activities, more student organization space, more availability. I see so much stuff. We should go to every single student organization and take the time to hammer out exactly what they want. Also, establish late night sessions for commuter students to attend and voice their feedback. We should talk to classes, stand on the Free Speech Steps – we need to do whatever is necessary.

Garcia: We have to have students from all walks involved. Everyone – students, faculty, community members and administrators – needs to be involved in creating a facility that is beneficial to the entire SDSU campus.

Ly: My goal is to make sure the students’ voice is heard and they get what they want. To ensure student involvement, I want to make sure the focus groups are large enough and encompass all of student life. For example, age, gender, campus affiliations and onward. I would like to see the things we promised – the 24/7 study lounge, a theater room, satellite ARC and expanded, healthier eating areas.

Webb: Focus groups are a great starting point. It’s very important to keep students involved and accept all ideas. It’s also important to reach
outside of A.S. and student organizations and let them have a say in it. They are only a small part of who (those) use it.

DA: How knowledgeable are you about University Senate?

Brown: I sit on the campus fee advisory committee, so I’m very knowledgeable about the University Senate. I love it. I think we should try and incorporate more student involvement because the average student probably doesn’t know what it is.

Garcia: I know that it is in charge of academic policy. I still have a lot to learn. I know that as university affairs, you have a voting seat. I know it is important to represent the students on the Senate.

Ly: I talked to current the VP of university affairs about it. I have never attended University Senate meetings.

Webb: I know a little about it. I know that I would have a seat on Senate.

DA: Why should voters choose you?

Brown: Voters should choose me because I’m the most experienced out of all the candidates. Voters should choose me because I’m the most experienced and dedicated. I have a lot of knowledge and ideas because I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t.

Garcia: I’m a person all about action. I have been a leader on campus for four years. I feel that my commitment and dedication to my organization and to A.S. life on campus speaks for itself. My leadership and communication can benefit me in the position.

Ly: I have only been on A.S. for one year so I don’t fit the cookie mold of an A.S. member who’s been there for years and could possibly be burned out. I have different ideas. I’m a hard worker.

Webb: I have a lot of experience in leadership and academic policy and planning because of my position on the board. I have a lot of experience on how A.S. is run from working for the organization. I’ve been all over the place. I know what it’s like to be a student.

–Interviews by Editor in Chief Raven S. Tyson