Candidates are running for the executive positions in the Graduate Student Government, pledging to improve services and support for graduate students.
Voting for the GSG executive elections will open on March 31 and close on April 1.
President
Tharun Goud Dasugari and Onkar Vachista Falle are running for president.
At a debate, Goud Dasugari, a graduate student studying management of technology and current GSG chief of staff, said his vision for his term would include improving visibility across all campuses and expanding collaboration with ASU Career Services and the network of alumni.
"The main purpose of the student government is to provide services in terms of their professional development and have campus engagement," Goud Dasugari said.
Goud Dasugari's experience as chief of staff this year has shown him how to rebuild an organization after facing difficulties, he said.
"The first thing I'm going to do is bring where we are lacking," Goud Dasugari said. "Where do we lack students? Where do we lack services to students?"
He also mentioned the importance of educating students on resources, continuing advocacy and being accessible to the public.
READ MORE: New GSG president pledges progress after semesters of difficulties
Vachista Falle, a graduate student studying robotics and autonomous systems, centered his campaign on five points, one of which is poor class availability that causes some students' graduations to be delayed.
"ASU prides itself on being the most innovative university in the country, yet our registration system still punishes students for the university's own enrollment growth," Vachista Falle said.
GSG Election Commissioner Adithya Konda, a graduate student studying robotics and autonomous systems, said Vachista Falle could not attend the debate. The candidate spoke to The State Press separately.
Another issue Vachista Falle mentioned was the lack of affordable graduate student housing in Tempe. He said the Phoenix area isn't affordable for people earning a graduate stipend and that he will push for dedicated graduate student housing.
Vachista Falle said international students are worried about visa revocation, immigration detention and the threat of being unable to obtain a degree. He said he would fight for students to have legal aid, advocacy and communication from the University about policy changes.
READ MORE: Student governments work to represent international students
"There are students on this campus right now who came here with a dream and a valid visa, and they are living in fear," Vachista Falle said.
He also emphasized mental health resources and improving parking for commuter students.
Vice President of Campus Engagement
Muhammad Fasih and Sai Sagar Galli Raghu are running for vice president of campus engagement.
At the debate, Fasih, a doctoral student studying electrical engineering, discussed the importance of engagement across all campuses. He proposed tabling and holding office hours on each ASU campus.
GSG should facilitate more communication with other organizations at ASU, as well as update the student body on GSG proceedings through a monthly newsletter, Fasih said.
"Graduate students are busy; they don't have time for actively looking for resources," Fasih said. "We should be the one reaching out to them and making sure that they are on board with us and they trust us with responsibilities."
Galli Raghu, a graduate student studying data science, analytics and engineering, said in a written statement that he is committed to increasing student awareness of opportunities.
"My main goals are to build stronger community connections among our student body," Galli Raghu said in the statement. "I would love to organize events that allow us to come together and interact with other graduate students from various colleges and campuses."
He also said he will focus on informing students of GSG initiatives, funding and leadership opportunities. He wants to create a "stronger sense of belonging."
Galli Raghu also did not attend the debate, and his written statement was obtained later.
Vice President of External Affairs
Debadatta Jena, a graduate student studying public administration, is the only candidate running for vice president of external affairs. At the debate, he said his work at the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions has helped prepare him for the role.
"We just set up a large organization center for local governments and education," Jena said. "It's an organization that is helping the graduate students to get the scholarships to get hands-on experience."
Jena said partnerships should be negotiated to be beneficial to both students and ASU.
"That is how I should start, by going from step one and addressing what they need, how they are getting benefits out of that, and I think that is most important," Jena said.
Konda said Jena will not automatically assume the role, but must still meet all eligibility requirements and receive the required support through the election process to be elected.
No candidates are running for the position of vice president of internal affairs. Konda said the position will remain vacant after the election cycle and most likely be filled through an internal appointment process following the elections.
The results of the election will be certified from April 2-9.
Edited by Carsten Oyer, Jack McCarthy and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporter at msweador@asu.edu and follow @miasweador on X.
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