The lack of participation continues for the Associated Students Inc. – not only are all board of directors positions unopposed – three of seven candidates who were scheduled to debate cancelled their appearance April 10.

Aaron Pina, Mohammad Farhad and Kevin Chun were among those who were no-shows.

On April 10, Pina, the candidate for graduate director, was the only candidate who was supposed to appear, but failed to do so.

Maribel Rosendo-Servin, director of the Office of Governmental Affairs, simply said Pina canceled, but was unsure why.

“The last minute cancellation was due to the fact I could not get the day off work,” Pina said.

The debate was not the only event Pina did not participate in.

Pina, along with six other candidates, did not attend the ASI Candidate Forum, held by President Jesus Andrade, last Thursday in the University Union’s California Suite.

The State Hornet previously attempted to contact Pina regarding his candidacy, but Pina did not respond.

He said as far as getting his voice heard, he submitted his personal statement to the Office of Governmental Affairs, attended the ASI open house Thursday, and will possibly hold an interview with KSSU, Sacramento State’s student-run radio.

Farhad, who is running for director of engineering and computer science, did not appear at his debate, either. Farhad, as in the past, was not available to comment.

Chun could not be reached for comment because his contact information was not released. He was contacted through e-mail, but did not reply.

He did not show up to his debate.

While three candidates were not present at their debates, four candidates were.

Ramon Yepez, candidate for director of natural sciences and mathematics, said the debate was OK, adding he thinks he did pretty well.

In terms of the non-participating candidates, Yepez said it was sad.

“They didn’t have the opportunity to be in front of students and show their perspectives on student issues,” he said.

Yepez said the debate was important to him, having prepared a week in advance for it.

Running for director of Arts and Letters, Felix Barba said he enjoyed the debate. He said he was able to express what he felt in his heart and put emphasis on what he loves doing.”It reminded me why I was up there, and helped me put my goals into words,” Barba said.

Barba said the absent candidates missed a great opportunity and the chance for students to get to know them better.”That goes to show how committed they are?they need a little more motivation,” he said.

Andrade said the lack of participation from candidates has happened before.

“In the past, there have been numerous candidates who did not show up? now it’s more magnified (since candidates are running unopposed),” he said.

Michael Nguyen and Chad Gidel – candidates for director of social sciences and interdisciplinary studies and director of business were unavailable to comment on the debates.

Since all of the candidates for the board of directors are running unopposed, participation is not a major factor because they only need one vote to be elected.

The election takes place Tuesday at 8 a.m. through Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Students can vote online at the following locations at Sac State:Library Breezeway, west side University Union Walkway, River Front Cafe Patio, Student Life and Services and any other location with a computer and Internet access.

Jacqueline Tualla can be reached at [email protected]