Debates: the aftermath

The first ASPSU presidential debate revealed four slates that have very similar goals, including reforming the Student Fee Committee and working to make education more affordable. Their differences lie mostly in style and execution.

The debate, which started 15 minutes late as students milled around the Park Blocks waiting for all the candidates to arrive, was the first opportunity to hear each slate’s vision for next year.

Collin LaVallee and Christopher Proudfoot
LaVallee, the current ASPSU federal affairs director, and Proudfoot laid out a plan that includes ensuring students’ voices are heard, both on campus and in Salem. LaVallee talked about a “holistic approach” to education that corresponds with the slate’s motto ACT, or Access, Community and Transparency.

“We’re going to hit the ground running,” Proudfoot said. “We’re going to continue what we’ve already been working on. Our motto really says it all.”

LaVallee said he understands the deep budget cuts that will begin to affect Portland State next year.

“It’s not a question of if it’s going to happen, but how much,” he said.

LaVallee said that he will continue his lobbying efforts if elected, indicating that anyone who wins the election must continue to travel to Salem and “get students to tell their stories.”

In addition to lobbying, the slate would concentrate on involving the student senate in the student fee allocation process.

Ron Lee
Lee focused on a couple of tangible issues, including combating the rising cost of textbooks and tuition.

“There are uncontrolled prices that we need to address,” he said. “We’re really going to have to get crafty.”

Lee also noted that he hopes to make the SFC more accountable and to involve more people.

“I think transparency is incredibly important,” Lee said. “And I think it’s so important to bring people into the process.”

Currently without a running mate, Lee is interviewing potential candidates and is considering the possibility of running alone and appointing a vice president once he is elected, if allowed.

Jonathan Sanford and Rebekah Chitsaz
Sanford, an eight-year veteran of the armed forces with connections to U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, said continuing lobbying efforts to secure funding for education and the Oregon Opportunity Grant is a main goal.

“The major focus of our legislative session down in Salem is to lobby hard to get money for this university and students,” Sanford said.

The slate also aims to make legislators in Salem and student government more accountable.

“We can never allow an SFC liaison to liaison for their own student group,” Sanford said. “Never again will we have someone say a racist or sexist thing in public office.”

Chitsaz added that another major goal would be to have continuity between this year’s administration and the incoming administration.

“We want to continue what’s already been put into place,” she said. “Our policy is not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.”

Sean Staub and Kyle Juedes
Juedes, the vice presidential candidate, answered most of the questions during the debate. His running mate arrived 30 minutes after the debate started.

One of the slate’s goals would be to standardize the application process for jobs within student government. Another goal would be to video record and archive SFC meetings online.

“It’s very difficult for students to get involved if there is untransparency,” Juedes said.

Juedes misspoke when he said that specific breakdowns of student group budgets were not available to the public. They can be accessed at sa.pdx.edu/budgets.

The slate would also aim to reduce the student fee and “show where the money is going.”

Both Staub and Juedes have a background in sustainability after working with PSU Recycles! and said they would push for a greener campus if elected.