Editor's note: This is the fourth in a series of articles interviewing Undergraduate Student Government presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
Meet: Kent Walter, presidential candidate, and Nellie Stirgwolt, vice-presidential candidate.
Major and Year:
Walter: Economics and political science junior.
Stirgwolt: Political science sophomore.
Web site: Kentnellie.com
What makes you qualified to lead the USG?
Walter: I'm experienced with Arizona Legislature, I've worked with a lot of the current politicians and I have the ability to lobby for the needs of ASU.
Stirgwolt: I'm very involved on campus and I'm a member of the Greek community. My political involvement in local government has given me the experience and essential skills that are necessary for excellent leadership here. I'm easily approachable and ready to work.
What is your platform?
Walter: Responsible spending, keep tuition as low as possible and implement an open-door policy to help establish a presence on campus.
How much of your platform can you realistically expect to accomplish?
Walter: We can definitely do 100 percent of our platform. We're 'uniters,' not dividers.
What would you do differently from the current USG administration?
Walter: I'd like to do a little more lobbying with the state Legislature for monies from them. UA gets more money per student than we do and that's a big issue with us. That would be one way to help keep our tuition down.
Stirgwolt: Also, USG is not visible enough on campus right now, and we can't blame students for not showing up to forums and whatnot if USG isn't out reaching the students.
With seven competing campaign tickets, how will you distinguish yourself from the pack?
Stirgwolt: Our platform and campaign is geared toward working with the administration instead of working against it. We take a positive approach.
What are the weaknesses of your campaign?
Walter: Money. It's hard getting your message out without having a lot of funds to do so.
Stirgwolt: One thing that is a major disadvantage is that ASU gives no restrictions for funding or where funding comes from. So certain, very good candidates don't get their message out because of that. So that's a major disadvantage for more than just our ticket.
Reach the reporter at rkost@asu.edu.
