Last night, in front of about 70 students, student body presidential hopefuls debated for the final time before the annual ASPSU elections kick-off on Sunday.
In the Smith Memorial Student Union’s Multicultural Center, presidential candidate Christian Aniciete and his running mate, Karla Hernandez, from the “Empowerment” slate debated with Hannah Fisher and her running mate Kyle Cady from the “Bridge the Gap” slate. Both spoke on their platforms for next year and why they believe they are the better choice.
In the last two weeks, both slates have had a presence on campus–engaging students in the South Park Blocks and speaking at debates. Yesterday’s debates were the final ASPSU candidate debates. Previously, candidates running for Student Senate and the Student Fee Committee also debated their goals for next year.
The PSU Debate Team moderated all of the candidate debates.
Aniciete and Hernandez went first, and spoke on the passion and continued dedication to the students of PSU they say they will bring.
“We have all come to an understanding that we have a voice that can be used to motivate,” Aniciete said. “It is time that students realize their unrealized power.”
Fisher and Cady echoed those feelings and added that they feel students can play a vital and productive role at the university and in the state.
“Tangible change is what we must have for students to see how their involvement is working,” Fisher said. “We need to engage with students and show them how much power they have in shaping their future.”
ASPSU election week begins Sunday, April 20 and ends Saturday, April 26. Voting for the election will be held online through www.banweb.pdx.edu. Polls are set to open at midnight on April 20 and close at 8 p.m. on April 26.
After debate introductions, both slates were allowed to respond and rebut one another’s statements.
Aniciete spoke on what “Empowerment” means to him and his candidacy.
“It is important to be strong when it comes to decision making for the 25,000 students enrolled here at PSU,” Aniciete said. “It is important to be a strong leader with a level of professionalism and respect for the faculty and students. When I am elected, we will do this.”
Fisher said she would help aid the connections between everyone at Portland State.
“In the past there has been a very combative relationship between the ASPSU president and students and faculty. As president we need to stand firm and be aware of what everyone needs and wants,” Fisher said. “The administration and faculty needs us as much as we need them. If there is a problem, we must resolve these issues as together, as a partnership.”
At the debate, representatives from two student publications, the Vanguard and The Rearguard, asked the candidates questions. Question topics ranged from childcare for student parents, sexual assault awareness and increased campus security. Each presidential hopeful was also asked how they would deal with the ongoing salary dispute between full-time faculty and the administration.
“Every part of our platform represents all students,” Fisher said. “Everything is important, and each student is vital to the success of our educational system here on campus. If we do not communicate with students on all levels, we will fail ourselves.”
Aniciete agreed.
“Empowerment is about equal levels of advocacy,” Aniciete said. “We want students and student groups to have equal say and power. Equality must have a lasting effect on campus.”
Next week during voting times, students will have the opportunity to watch videos of all of this election season’s ASPSU debates by going online to www.aspsu.pdx.edu.