Want to know about the other candidates? Read about Andres Cano’s push to reduce student fees and Joseph Grossman’s plan to fight back against rising tuition.
If elected, first-generation college student, nutrition freshman and write-in presidential candidate Diana Inzunza said she would focus on uniting the Downtown campus, student government and all students who attend the Downtown campus.
Bringing students together, especially commuter students, is one of the major issues Inzunza said she is focusing on.
Too often, Inzunza said, commuter students are unaware of what is happening on campus, and this is unfair because events are an important part of the college experience.
One way Inzunza suggests to bring students together is by continuing the fairs that have been put on throughout the year, while advertising them better through personal emails and calls to students.
“I’m not going to say something that I know I am not going to be able to do, and if I say something, I will do whatever it takes to do it,” Inzunza said. “My biggest thing is helping others succeed.”
Inzunza said she would also be a “visible president,” available for students to speak with, call or email. She said that people shouldn’t be afraid to talk with her.
Unlike the other presidential candidates, Inzunza said she generally thinks ASASUD did a good job this year, especially through the many fairs showcased on Taylor Mall.
“I feel like they’ve done a good job because they’ve tried their hardest,” Inzunza said. “Being part of student government takes a lot of work, a lot of time.”
Being the only freshman running for president, some have questioned whether Inzunza has enough experience to be qualified for taking on the role of ASASUD president.
Inzunza said she has gotten involved on campus—while not in an official function—since the beginning of the year, and was also involved in student government at her high school.
“You need people who know the connections. You need people who can get the job done,” said presidential candidate and criminal justice sophomore Joseph Grossman. “I think that the difference you’re going to see from me is that I’m actually going to fight.”
However, Inzunza said she believes experience could be overrated.
“It’s not all about experience, it’s about what you have to bring to the table,” Inzunza said.
Inzunza’s running mate, journalism junior Rudy Rivas, said not being as involved previously with the Downtown campus student government is a benefit and he would bring the experience of living on the Downtown campus for three years to the vice presidency.
“She’s going to bring more of the freshness … more of the new ideas,” Rivas said. “I’m more of the logical thinker and long term and she’s more of ‘Let’s do this now.’ She’s excited. We just build off of each other.”
Inzunza said she spoke with former Downtown campus president Tania Mendes and current ASASUD president Christian Vasquez about the recent role of the president. She said they discussed what goes into the presidency and some of the positives and negatives of the position.
“They just said it’s a lot of work,” Inzunza said. “It’s very positive because you get to meet a lot of people, you get to help a lot of people and you get to be involved on a personal level.”
Contact the reporter at connor.radnovich@asu.edu
