Three out of eleven candidates vying for eight open seats on the ASUI Senate were present at the candidate forum Monday, which lasted just under twenty minutes.
Second-year students Reilly Dahlquist and Michael Sikorski were joined by third-year student Laura Hannon.
Dahlquist is running on a platform of student health, finance and career services. He said he feels that a student’s mental, physical and emotional health are essential to a complete learning experience.
Hannon’s goals are accountability, accessibility and engagement. She said she believes ASUI should act as a bridge between students and the administration.
Sikorski said all Vandals should be represented by ASUI and, if elected, he hopes to act as a voice for students while also focusing on parking issues and recycling.
ASUI Elections Coordinator Mackenzie Lawrence and ASUI Chief of Staff moderated the forum, starting with a question the current parking situation and how it could be improved upon.
Hannon said like many students she would like to see a parking garage go up, but she thinks that right now focus should be put on alternative methods of transportation especially for off-campus students.
ASUI Elections Coordinator and moderator Mackenzie Lawrence asks questions to candidates.
Logan Finney | Argonaut
Sikorski said he sees some sort of parking structure in the future for UI.
Lawrence said ASUI commonly hears complaints that there are not enough student spaces on campus and asked for candidates thoughts on improving current student spaces or adding additional student spaces.
Dahlquist said there should be more student spaces for recreation when taking into account the time students spend in classes.
“I also think having more communities represented is important, there’s many different programs that maybe aren’t located so centrally on campus,” Dahlquist said. “So, these spaces would be a great way to go set up appointments and be involved.”
Hannon said having more campus representatives from different programs that may not be in centralized locations could allow for a space to advertise and set up meetings.
When it comes to enrollment, Hannon said current students should play a larger role in recruiting.
Sikorski said that he thinks social media is a great platform to reach out to students of this generations, as well as having someone meet potential students face to face within high schools.
“It’s a better tactical option,” Sikorski said. “I think doing events on campus and having a social option will be a great start.”
Other Candidates vying for a senate seat are Ben Arnzen, Connor Dahlquist, Juan Carlos Gastelum, Logan Heflin, Jeffery LaSorella, Mary Alice Taylor and Colby West.
The next open forum will take place 7:00 p.m. Thursday in the Wallace Residence Center Basement. All current students have an opportunity to vote April 1 through April 3.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this article misstated Laura Hannon’s class standing. It also misidentified the forum as the first forum.
Ellamae Burnell can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @EllamaeBurnell