For president: Vote Eric Guerra

All three presidential candidates are bright, articulate and have a clear grasp of the issues facing Associated Students, Inc. However, it is Eric Guerra?s extensive experience and broad vision for ASI that sets him apart.

Outgoing and personable, Guerra has the communication skills to make an excellent ASI president. Guerra has nearly two years experience on the ASI Board as director of mathematics and engineering and executive vice president. As executive vice president, he served the difficult job as moderator of the board and has logged long hours in that demanding position.

Guerra believes that ASI should maintain a strong presence on the state level of the California State University, where students can address the needs of Sacramento State to the Board of Trustees and statewide administration. If elected, he will seek to accomplish this through increased emphasis on Sac State?s representation in the California State Students Association, which represents students statewide.

Tom Hughes has both the insider?s knowledge of the ASI Board, gained by his experience as vice president of finance, and an outsider?s desire to challenge the status quo. His strengths lie in his knowledge of the inner workings of ASI?s multi-million-dollar budget. If elected, Hughes would seek new dollars from outside ASI, which he said will help eliminate the need to increase student fees. To do this, he will actively seek corporate sponsorships?an approach that could very well be met with success.

Howard Story has focused on revitalizing campus life and improved accessibility of ASI to students. Story suggested moving the ASI board meetings from the third floor of the University Union to the first floor, making the meetings more visible to passing students.

He is also pushing for improved nightlife on campus by keeping popular student spots open later, and a compensation system to encourage students to use alternative transportation to the University in an effort to alleviate the crowded parking situation. While all three candidates could bring viable ideas to the presidency, we believe Guerra?s skill and experience make him the man for the job. Eric Guerra for president.

For executive vice president: Vote Luke Wood

Of the two viable candidates for executive vice president, we believe Luke Wood has the energy, drive and passion to make a difference in student?s lives. As director of mathematics and natural sciences, Wood is one of the most active members on the board in drafting legislation and standing up for student rights on campus when few will.

Wood has become known for taking tough stances on issues that directly affect students. This became evident last fall when he was one of the few outspoken voices in opposition to President Donald Gerth?s proposed cancellation of Monday-Wednesday day classes. In addition, Wood is constantly churning out new ideas and is willing to bring them to the table at board meetings. Wood believes that Associated Students, Inc. must stand up to administration, not be patronized by it. With new issues arising from the administration?s desk such as a substantial parking increase proposed for the fall, we believe there is no better candidate to provide them a frank voice on behalf of students. In addition, Wood has an outgoing, friendly personality which should serve him well in office. He cites nighttime campus safety as a key concern and would seek outside political support for ASI from organizations like the California Faculty Association, which he sees as a potential ally for students.

Frances Tobias could also bring new ideas into the office. We hope the next person in office will heed his knowledge on parliamentary procedure and his education focus.

But, we believe Wood would be one of the most active executive vice presidents ASI has ever seen. His genuine vision for a better campus gives Wood the nod for our endorsement.

For vice president of university affairs: Vote Crystal Chase

The vice president of university affairs has the crucial job of filling Associated Students, Inc?s vast array of student committees?the lifeblood of student governance where the research and debate that leads to legislation is often done. This requires a strong, outgoing personality that can inspire ASI participation among hundreds of students. We believe Crystal Chase is that person. Chase brings a positive attitude and honest style of leadership that should serve the position well. She would look to fill the committee positions with students whom she believes could retain a strong commitment to ASI.

Also, she would actively recruit from a variety of campus groups who could potentially generate interest in ASI for large numbers of students. If elected, she would also promote participation by forging a strong relationship with faculty which could be used to inform students about ASI.

Chase has voiced a promise to follow through on the commitment of public office and an unusual degree of humility toward public service. She believes the vice president of university affairs should always represent ASI to the students and should take on something of an ambassador role. In addition, we believe her communication skills and honest personality make her a natural fit for an executive position on the board.

Of her opponents, Joe Booth brings an enthusiastic personality that could benefit the office, but lacks Chase?s knowledge of university affairs. Dave Ramirez declined to participate in our endorsement process.

For vice president of finance: Vote Peter Ucovich

The vice president of finance is one of the most important positions in Associated Students, Inc. In addition to serving as an executive member of the ASI Board, this officer must constantly deal with ASI?s $8 million budget. This includes the submission of a proposed budget at the end of the year as the head of the finance and budget committee.

Both J.J. Hurley and Peter Ucovich are excellent candidates for this position. However, Ucovich?s experience with budgeting gives him the edge. If elected, we believe Ucovich would take a fresh approach to spending, rather than business of usual. This is evidenced by his call for serious investigation into spending at ASI. He also supports consolidating spending by unifying similar spending areas, such as printing, through multiple programs. In addition, Ucovich has experience on the Finance and Budget committee where he helped work to produce the proposed budget for next year.

We believe his hands-on experience with budgeting and a wealth of new ideas make him an ideal candidate.

Hurley has excellent communication skills and a broad grasp of campus issues. He believes retention is the key problem in the Finance and Budget committee and would seek out board members with a genuine interest in the job. In addition, he would begin early with intensive training for board members. If not elected, we believe Hurley would be an asset to ASI if named to the highest possible appointed position.

Note: These endorsements are based on an interview process conducted by The State Hornet Editorial Board last week. All candidates for executive positions, but one, participated. Each candidate interviewed was given equal time and the same procedure.

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