Video by Multimedia Team
For more information about the candidates before voting, read the candidate profiles on Sen. Travis Arbon and Sen. Frank Smith III and look at their platform comparison.
USGD presidential candidates Travis Arbon and Frank Smith III met Tuesday night for a final debate before elections, discussing key issues like student fees, awareness of USGD and serving students on and off campus.
Among the most heated topics at the Downtown Devil’s debate moderated by Downtown Devil Radio’s Andrew Romanov, Arbon and Smith discussed the impact of lobbying for students at the State Capitol.
Smith believes that lobbying is a “great way to get the students’ voices heard,” and frequently visits the capitol to tell the state legislators what students want. Smith also noted that he has a strong relationship with Representative Alston, who is a member of the higher education committee in the House of Representatives.
However, Arbon said communications with state legislatures are important but not crucial.
“Any of the connections that my opponent has can be had by anybody in this room by just a phone call and an email,” he said.
One thing the candidates did agree on is that the largest problem downtown students face is being unaware of USGD.
Arbon said to rectify that he will “make sure USGD stays visible and accessible to all students at all times.”
To do that, Arbon will implement an extensive advertising program that will show students who, what, are where USGD is. If elected, he plans to advertise on Taylor Mall and on University Center slideshows.
Smith agreed and said he would implement bi-monthly Q&A sessions and create newsletters to keep students informed.
“Some students don’t even know that there is a student government,” he said.
However, Smith has a different approach than his opponent and wants to focus on getting the word out through social media outlets, such as Facebook and Twitter.
Another issue the candidates discussed is how they will help upperclassmen who may be facing issues neither candidate has encountered yet.
“Just because I am a freshman doesn’t mean I am any less qualified than a junior or a senior,” Smith said, adding that what he may lack with inexperience, he makes up for with dedication.
“My ticket is always out in Taylor Mall,” he said. “We are out there from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. making ourselves visible.”
Senator Arbon admitted that if he or his opponent were to run on the Tempe campus “they would be completely annihilated” because of their academic years.
Although he will only be a sophomore next year, Arbon said that his ticket has the most experience in every facet of student government.
Public Service and Public Policy senior Marcus Jones II, the executive director of the Residence Hall Association, said after the debate that the presidential position should be held by someone with years of experience with student government, adding it will be harder for either candidate to connect with upperclassmen.
“Not to say that either candidate can’t be trained, but I feel that there is definitely a level of experience that is necessary to run an undergraduate student government,” he said.
Elections take place Wednesday and Thursday. Students can vote online at asu.edu/elections
Contact the reporter at afooter@asu.edu
