In this year's Associated Students election, four candidates for vice president positions are running unopposed. These candidates spoke about their platforms and goals for their positions at the AS VP debate on Tuesday, April 21, in Academic West 204.
Abby Ramos: ASVP for Diversity candidate
Abby Ramos is running for Vice President for Diversity, which is responsible for ensuring all AS processes and offices have a commitment to diversity and inclusivity, while also focusing on providing a safe space for all students.
Ramos is choosing to run because of her concerns regarding the lack of identity awareness among students and professors.
“My goal is to broaden the idea of what diversity means to people,” Ramos said.
She said she wants do this by reaching out to different communities in the school, holding open forums where students can come to talk, and teach professors how to acknowledge different identities.
Israel Rios: ASVP for Activities candidate
Israel Rios is running for Vice President for Activities, which acts as the advisor between the AS clubs and the AS Board of Directors. This position also has the responsibility of encouraging clubs to provide curricular programming to students that reflects academics.
Rios said he is thankful for opportunities Western and the AS have provided him, and desires to give back by making it easier for other students to accomplish their own goals.
“I also think we need to reevaluate where exactly we are spending our student fees,” Rios said. “We need to make sure they are being spent in areas where students actually want to utilize them.”
Rios also talked about the lack of accessibility for sports intramurals.
“No one should have to start a game at 11 p.m.,” he said. “We should all be able to take part in athletics.”
Emma Palumbo: ASVP for Student Life candidate
Emma Palumbo is running for Vice President for Student Life, which acts as a liaison between the AS, university housing and dining, overall campus health, and safety, as well as transportation and sustainability efforts.
Palumbo discussed her goal to focus on sustainability and environmental awareness in the community.
“Our school is obviously not isolated from the rest of the world, and I want to make sure we are committed to increasing sustainability and doing so in a responsible fashion that best serves students,” Palumbo said.
Palumbo also said she wants to make sure students know that advising and counseling resources are available and accessible to them.
Hannah Brock: ASVP for Business and Operations candidate
Hannah Brock is running for Vice President for Business and Operations, which overlooks the internal operations of all AS programs and facilities.
Brock said she has a passion for serving students and outreach, and is hoping to bring her experiences as a marketing major to the position.
One of her main goals is to increase the transparency of funding in AS, she said.
“I think it’s important to be ethical and fair,” Brock said, adding that while she may not always be able to answer all questions, she aims to remain transparent.
Brock also said it’s important to encourage people to join AS to provide new perspective, but it’s also as important to recognize current employees and the work they do.
