Candidates for student council representatives and Student Services Financial Committee seats met with student voters Thursday night at the ASM meet and greet to discuss prospective plans for the upcoming year.
Axel Hernandez, a freshman ASM representative candidate, said talking to people helped him clarify what students want to see in their leaders.
I think also that just talking to other people running is a good way to get a feel of what's wrong with campus and what could be better,"" Hernandez said.
Overall freshmen candidates considered safety to be the most pressing issue facing students at the university.
Candidates got creative in order to stand apart from other candidates. Hernandez designed business cards to pass out to voters with humorous information, such as ""U DUB STUDENT"" and ""Axel For Freshman Student Council '¦One Time.""
""I want to get people's attention right away,"" Hernandez said.
Candidates and commissioners were disappointed with the small turnout of ASM incumbents at the event.
Student Election Commission Chair Katherine Tondrowski said current ASM members had the role of addressing questions candidates had at the event but the lack of attendance created problems.
""[The incumbents] missed out on an opportunity,"" she said.
The event combated the students' lack of awareness on the roles of ASM and SSFC leaders.
""Frankly, a lot of people don't know where their segregated fees go to,"" SSFC candidate Tyler Junger said. ""I want to let them know that a lot of that money does go to use and if they elect someone who has a voice for them, they will be able to have an influence on where their money goes.""
SSFC candidate Brandon Williams said a debate would ultimately be a better way for candidates to show their qualifications but his goal at this event was simply to get his name out.
""There are so many people that go to this school; it's easy to get lost in the crowd,"" he said.
