Guest Columns

For now, as a Downtown student government representative fighting to keep my constituents’ experiences and opportunities on campus the best possible, I urge members of our student body to take a minute out of their busy day to vote “no” on the universal constitution referendum.

The implementation of a new elections code would establish a Supreme Court where all campaign disputes will be heard. Elections on our campus in the past have been plagued with controversy and bias – none of which is conductive to furthering the campus as whole. In voting “yes,” several great victories for us as students on the Downtown campus will be achieved.

When ASU students return to their downtown apartments this August, they’ll be greeted with a lot of construction blocking First Street. About a month after classes start, the street will open back up, though the landscaping will take a touch longer. And once all of it’s finally done around Thanksgiving break, First Street will be a pedestrian Mecca. Except for that pesky shade thing.

Phoenix is days away from opening the controversial parking lot at the site of the old Ramada Inn on Taylor Street between First and Second streets. And it could not finish it without one last controversial splash – literally.

The city of Phoenix is currently undergoing a renaissance and Downtown student government must take an active role in our city’s rebirth and bridging the gap between ASU Downtown and our city’s businesses and citizens.

The “It’s Time” video released by ASU earlier this month highlights the university as rejuvenating downtown Phoenix, but the campus administration is doing very little to actually realize that.

Vaughn Hillyard, president of ASU Downtown Alive!, believes Andres Cano and Brittany Morris can help the Downtown campus build a stronger bond with the rest of downtown Phoenix.

Alex Reese, a commuting journalism junior, believes Diana Inzunza and Rudy Rivas are making the Downtown campus promises they can deliver.

Blake Wilson, president of College Republicans on the Downtown campus, believes Joseph Grossman and David Bakardjiev are the Downtown campus' best shot at fighting increasing tuition.

The fee is not so much a necessity as an accommodation to the needs of our student community. The Downtown campus, a once distinctly modestly-sized branch of ASU, is now promptly on its way to becoming a booming poster child for the ASU community.