Primaries narrow candidate field

Two presidential candidates remain in the running in the 2015-2016 Associated Students of the University of Arizona elections following the primary elections last week.

Presidential candidate Manuel Felix, a junior studying political science and Spanish, plans to strengthen the relationship with various cultural centers on campus as well as between Greek Life and the Dean of Students Office, increase advocacy for the services available to students on campus, and introduce new ideas into academics.

Felix said it is important to embrace the diverse student population the UA caters to. He said he hopes to create a mutually beneficial relationship between ASUA and cultural centers. Felix added that giving a voice to all the groups on campus is vital in order to sustain a culturally diverse student body.

Working at the Dean of Students Office for the past few years and as the former president of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity up until this spring, Felix said that preserving a strong relationship between Greek Life and the Dean of Students Office is crucial to maintain a well-rounded greek community. Felix said he wants to further the impact of the “It’s On Us” campaign on campus while supporting the “Good Samaritan” law.

Felix said he also wants to work to create more upper division tutoring and a class to help students study for exams such as the LSAT, MCAT and GMAT that counts as a credit or hour toward students’ majors.

Hannah Sager, a marketing junior, is also in the running for ASUA president. The current presidential chief of staff said her involvement on the “It’s On Us” campaign is what inspired her to run for the presidency.

Sager is basing her campaign under giving students the ability to find their voice on campus. She said the latter is especially vital for the upcoming year, given the harsh budget cuts the UA may face. Sager wants to promote access and affordability, and create a program that would gauge what students really need and want on campus — such as easily-accessible textbooks — which require student feedback.

In regards to health support and awareness, Sager wants to make the Campus Health Service a more efficient resource for students by cutting down wait times and collaborating with other events and programs on campus.

Sager wants to engage campus diversity, make ASUA election packets available throughout the entire year, and work under her platform to enhance programs and services for postgraduation employment. Sager said she wishes to focus on mentor programs with alumni and current students to help create relationships between different workforces.

Lastly, Sager said she wants to improve ASUA’s services directly and create a proper training program for newly elected ASUA members.

Executive Vice President

Evan Hastings, a mechanical engineering junior, said he believes club experiences in an individual’s undergraduate career is as equally important as the time spent in class, because clubs offer the chance for students to practically apply and practice skills needed in real-world experiences.

Hastings, who is currently in his second year working as an appropriations board director, will work to increase funding for clubs. By the end of this year, Hastings plans have funded clubs around $500,000 and wishes to do even more next year.

Richard Gallon, a junior studying communications and sociology, has seen a lack of visibility between ASUA and the entities they interact with on campus. Gallon, who has been involved in clubs, cultural centers and the Residence Hall Association, said there is a huge disconnect between ASUA and the clubs it serves on campus. He added that he wishes to change this by increasing communication between the two.

Administrative Vice President

Tatum Hammond, an sophomore studying English and current the administrative chief of staff, wishes to expand, innovate and collaborate as AVP.

Hammond wants to make sure UA programs and services do not fall short of funding due to budget cuts. Instead, Hammond wants to look at external ways for funding, because she said she believes that the department is at a pivotal point and needs to grow.

Louie Mbarkeh, a political science junior, had been involved in ASUA in his first two years at the UA until he took a break to analyze what students wanted to see within ASUA.

Mbarkeh wants to work on efficiency, accessibility, outreach and innovation.

He would like to create a better relationship with alumni. He said he believes alumni have a huge impact of the future of the UA, and he would like to strengthen the relationship between Greek Life and the Dean of Students Office.

Senate Candidates:

Hailey Schwartz, a public health junior
Matt Lubisich, a freshman studying political science and economics
Maddy Bynes, a junior studying political science and history
Natalie Scibilia, a freshman studying pre-business and math
David McGarey, an engineering freshman
Joe Zanoni, a psychology junior
Trey Cox, a pre-pharmacy sophomore
Omar Pereyra, a sophomore studying criminal justice and Middle Eastern and African studies
Alec Kretch, a computer science sophomore
Alexa Jenkins, a sophomore studying criminal justice and psychology
Zachary Berenson, a pre-business freshman
Zeina Cabrera-Peterson, a journalism junior
Citlali Anguilar-Cañamar, a freshman studying neuroscience and cognitive sciences and French
Trinity Goss, a philosophy sophomore
Taylor Susan, a chemistry junior
Andreas Zai, a pre-business freshman