Associated Students Inc. candidates today were the targets of questions regarding a proposed pay increase for Associated Students Inc. members and the Sacramento State budget.

Students asked the candidates what their thoughts were regarding the proposed pay stipend for ASI members.

Both Joseph Ross and Tim Snyder, candidates for vice president of finance, said they were not aware of the proposed pay stipend.

“I don’t care about pay (raises),” Ross said. “I’d do this job for free.”

He said he would look for other ways to save students money if fees have to go up, such as to try to lower textbook prices.

Snyder said, if elected, he would focus more on fundraising, which would increase student involvement on campus.

Ross said the best way to prioritize either the university or ASI budget is to ask ‘is this truly needed?'”

“To look at the university budget would be too time-consuming,” Ross said, “especially for a full-time student.”

The debate then turned to student involvement on campus.

Miguel Cervantes, the candidate for executive vice president, suggested “University Hour,” where students can take a break from courses for an hour to interact with other students or to take advantage of groups and organizations.

Ross agreed with Cervantes, adding that CSU Pomona has a “University Hour” with positive results.

“Sac State is a very diverse place,” Snyder said. “We should celebrate this diversity (which would increase student involvement.)”

The ASI election debate for president will be noon Thursday in the University Union Ballroom.

Jamie Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]