Temperatures climbed this week, and so did the number of Associated Students, Inc. candidates present for the debates held during lunchtime in the Library Quad.

Last week’s debates were low-key affairs, with tiny crowds watching just one candidate at each debate. Monday fared better with three candidates present, as did Tuesday with four more candidates and more vocal crowds arriving to support their favorite candidates.

Debates were held on Monday for Vice President of Academic Affairs and University Affairs, while debates for Executive Vice President and Vice President of Finance were on Tuesday.

The moderator asked candidates the same questions as last week, focusing on creating campus pride, dealing with fee increases and increasing ASI visibility both on campus and at the Capitol with legislators.

“We want to cultivate campus pride, we want to expand involvement, we want to strengthen the student voice,” Sarah Couch, who is running for executive vice president, said. “We want to take the potential that the ASI organization has and progress.”

Couch also said she wants to strengthen the students’ voices next year and expand student involvement. She said that ASI has lots of potential and students can accomplish many things by coming together.

Shawn Smith said that if elected executive vice president that he will not raise student fees and repeatedly referred to instilling transparency and accountability within ASI.

“I’m running to make real changes in the student government, and with my background in business and with my experience with the student government this year I believe I’m the most qualified candidate,” Smith said.

Smith also promised to outline a strategic plan for ASI spending and follow through with it. Smith pointed out that many graduate students like him want more affordable classes, not free T-shirts each semester or events that do not benefit them.

Courtney Bredeson said she wouldn’t tell the students how to vote on the increases, but thinks her perspective would be beneficial to ASI.

Terry Martin, who is running for vice president for finance, expressed disappointment with the structure of ASI when called upon by the moderator to speak.

“It’s terrible; the way ASI works right now, politicians keep recycling themselves upward?I don’t like it,” Martin said.

Despite the disagreements over fee increases, all candidates agreed that progress is only possible if students get involved, and were hopeful that change may come if the increased numbers of debate attendees were any indication.

“I’m happy that there’s so many students that are just coming by,” Couch said.

Julia Baum can be reached at [email protected].