WE’RE THERE WHEN YOU CAN’T BE © 2011, Baylor University WEDNESDAY | APRIL 13, 2011 www.baylorlariat.com Vol. 112 No. 44 The Baylor Lariat Student Body President Candidates BenAguinaga CristinaGalvan NateLarson ZachRogers ALL PHOTOS BY JED DEAN | LARIAT PHOTO EDITOR StuGov hopefuls stump for votes By Sara Tirrito Larson said he wants to be “I’ll be able to make sure that government,” Aguinaga said. “Af- Staff Writer hands-on and use his computer the student voice isn’t ignored or ter working there for two years, I coding skills to improve the effi- pushed aside throughout these recognize the dangers of becom- Campaign season has been ciency of student government. talks and when we submit our ing complacent within the orga- External Vice President largely unproblematic so far this “I feel like a lot of tasks can report to the university,” Galvan nization.” year — with only one charge be automated and be made better said. Aguinaga said he hopes to Candidates brought against a student govern- through the use of computers and Galvan also said she hopes to help student government flour- ment candidate — which some that’s why I feel like it’s important help improve relations with alum- ish by getting students involved believe is a result of the recent re- that I’m able to code computers,” ni to encourage them to give to the in discussions that go deeper than visions to the electoral code. The Larson said. “I feel like you could university. Additionally, she wants politics. season will begin wrapping up automate a lot, like a lot of the red to improve student government “The central theme of my ef- today, with voting beginning at 8 tape stuff; a lot of the processes itself and make it more relevant to forts is to endeavor not to make a.m. can be automated easily online. the student body. it a campaign but a conversation; Voting will end at 5 p.m. Right now, they’re doing things “I really want to improve the the theme is join the conversa- Thursday, and the announcement manually that could easily be tak- operations within student govern- tion,” Aguinaga said. of the new student government en over by computers, so that’d be ment so that we’re really working “When we can establish vis- officers is slated for 9:45 p.m. at one way to go.” together to effectively and ef- ibility as an organization and re- Diadeloso. Votes can be cast at ficiently serve students,” Galvan liability as an organization, only baylor.edu/sg/vote. Cristina Galvan said, “just keeping lines of com- then can students stock up and In the race for student body Galvan, a management and munication open.” trust members of student govern- president are Waxahachie junior accounting double major, is the ment.” Nate Larson, Baytown junior Cris- student body external vice presi- Ben Aguinaga In order to create that con- tina Galvan and Houston juniors dent and has previously served Aguinaga, a political science versation, however, Aguinaga AlexBaqui Ben Aguinaga and Zach Rogers. as freshman and sophomore class and philosophy double major, has said changes must first be made senator. been a senator for two years. He in student government, such as Nate Larson Galvan’s goals include making chaired the diversity committee spending more time with fellow Larson, a pre-med/university sure students’ voices are taken into and held a seat on the Senate ex- members than their mandatory scholar major, is the junior class consideration during university ecutive council last year, and has office hours. president and served last year as planning, addressing affordability also held a seat on the academic “In my opinion that’s not the sophomore class president. and improving both student safety affairs committee. enough time to get to know those He said he hopes to work on and student government opera- Aguinaga ran for student body who have been elected alongside helping students and student or- tions. president in 2009-2010 but did you,” Aguinaga said. ganizations accomplish their goals Allowing students’ voices to not win the election. He therefore “When you get to know people and promote their student activi- be heard is Galvan’s first priority, did not hold a position in student on a deeper level, that’s when you ties by “removing red tape” and which she said she can help en- government this year, but joined can learn to trust each other, and improving efficiency. sure through her position as the other organizations such as Bear even within student government “I’m trying to help everybody only student representative on the Pit and Sing Alliance, which he to build the relationship that we’re be better at what they care about university’s strategic themes com- said have helped him understand trying to build with students on and accomplish what they want to mittee (a committee helping to “the average student’s” perspective c ampu s .” accomplish,” Larson said, “wheth- determine the themes prevalent in of student government.” er that be on an individual level or community input for the univer- “What I have to bring is a sense be at an organizational level.” sity’s next strategic plan). of fresh perspective to student SEE STUMPFEST, page 6 AngelaGray Internal Vice President Candidates DanielHouston BrianKim MichaelLyssy Newspaper of the Year | Texas APME TheLariat Best Student Newspaper | Houston Press Club WEDNESDAY| APRIL 13, 2011 | the Opinion 2 Baylor Lariat www.baylorlariat.com Zach Rogers Michael Lyssy Photos by Jed Dean | Lariat Photo Editor Cristina Galvan Angela Gray Rogers, Galvan candidates to watch Lyssy, Gray represent consistency for students the burdensome intricacies of the with all members participating in If Gray is elected to the EVP with her time on various task candidate who can easily relate Editorial position are not foreign to him. interviews and the voting process. office, she has the initiative and forces and committees —like to students. In conjunction with Having a working knowledge not The single vote was cast for Fort know-how to create a myriad of the service learning community that, Rogers has a passion to Every year the Lariat editorial only of the senatorial process, Worth junior Daniel Houston. contacts that will improve the task force — will aid her well cultivate student concerns with board interviews student body but of the IVP responsibilities university’s local engagement. in the lead student body officer student government affairs. To officer candidates in order to in particular, will allow Lyssy Gray is looking to cooperate with position. establish this connection with understand platforms, gauge to continue on a more progres- External Vice President community leaders to create Galvan mentioned very spe- students, Rogers plans to actively abilities and represent the student sive path faster than the other partnerships that will further the cific changes, such as improve- pursue students’ opinions, not body’s voice. This year’s editorial candidates. Corpus Christi junior Angela university and city’s causes. ments to the campus security through surveys, but through board has chosen to continue the He expressed an understand- Gray intends to maintain the With the creation of such notification system, that provide personally approaching students endorsements. We are endorsing ing of the IVP role as a pillar in university’s commitment to com- dynamic initiatives like the for a well-rounded platform. and discussing key issues. Falls City junior Michael Lyssy the Senate. His ability this year to munity service while preparing Baylor Research and Innovation On the issue of transparency, It can be disconcerting that he for internal vice president and maintain a sense of fairness and the school for lobbying efforts at Collaborative, the incoming EVP Galvan said she believes changes has little experience in Student Corpus Christi junior Angela efficiency was echoed by his op- the state and national level. She needs to maintain the university’s the university makes that are in Senate. However, his hard work Gray for external vice president. ponents. Lyssy battled unsettled is, in turn, the best option for an service endeavors while further- opposition to a majority of the ethic, as displayed through his The editorial board came to a animosity from the electoral incoming external vice president. ing city cooperation. We trust student population should re- work as freshman class president split 2-2 student body president commission fiasco that happened Gray has a broad view of the Gray with those tasks. quire more justification from the and subsequent work thereafter, vote between Baytown junior during last year’s elections for role of an external vice president administration — a stance we feel indicates that Rogers will work Cristina Galvan and Cyprus much of his term as IVP. — a view that will allow for much The editorial’s board vote for would increase students’ aware- hard to ensure that both his junior Zach Rogers. We are seeing, after major growth in the EVP office. the two candidates was 5-0. All ness and the accountability of the short-term and long-term goals Only four members of the changes to the electoral code, a Gray is prepared for progress members of the editorial board administration if followed. will be accomplished. editorial board participated in much cleaner and fairer race this on the community service, city participated in the interviewing Galvan has emphasized the Of Rogers’ short-term goals, the interviewing of and vot- year and any divisiveness in the engagement and lobbying fronts. and voting processes. current strategic planning pro- the most promising is the goal of ing on student body president lead Senate position would stir The strength that will provide cess as an opportunity for student increasing student government candidates to avoid a conflict of dissent rather than foster unity.