A.S. candidates take to the stump

Office seekers give platforms before small crowd by Univerity Book Store

More than 60 Cal State Long Beach students gathered in front of the University Bookstore to hear candidates for Associated Students Senate office give their speeches.

Those running for A.S. President are Carl Kemp, Michael Gallagher, Pat Grimes, and Steve Negley. Michael Barrett, Michael Coombs, and Fatima Castaneda are vying for the office of A.S. Vice President, and Alvaro Castillo, Stan Park, and Jen Smith are running for A.S. Treasurer.

Many of the candidates used the podium to stress what they would do if elected, their qualifications and clubs that either they belong to or have endorsed their candidacy.

Kemp began the speeches, stressing that he will work for student benefits, such as working on a program that would enable students to register for their classes before paying their tuition. He aslo suggested that students be able to pay their tuition in five installments and maintaining the University Library open 24 hours a day.

He also stressed that he wanted to be able to put concerts together in The Pyramid, saying that it would be a source of pride that could be brought to this campus.

"It's an icon that we can use to our advantage," Kemp said during his speech, "and it will bring more publicity to this campus." Gallagher said in his speech that he would use his power to lobby the state government to add more classes.

Grimes said that she would institute cultural sensitivity training. Petotion to get organizations the required funding to benefit students throughout the campus. She also said she would seek to increase the quality of higher education.

Grimes also stressed that she wanted more student representation as well as a strong student voice on campus.

Negley said that the A.S.I. has lost its focus in the past few years, catering towards special interest groups. He said he would use his business background to see how the A.S.I. could spend their funds in a wise manner.

"The A.S. is a $4.2 million a year corporation," Negley told the students. "It's a corporation with your funds, your money, and you have control on how that is spent."

In the A.S. vice-presidential speeches, Coombs used theatrics to liven his speech, fencing with another student, and he also said that he would like to see the A.S. run in a smoother manner.

His opponent, Barrett used a straight-forward approach, saying that he would use his ability to voice opinions and carry a nonbiased attitude if elected.

Castaneda said that she would use the vice presidency position to inform students on campus events and increase student participation, noting Thursday's small turn out.

Castillo said that he would give the A.S. treasurer's position professionalism.

Park said his experience in accounting and business makes the most qualified. He said he would have an open-door policy to the students, where they would be free to express their opinions on how A.S. money is handled.

Smith said she would a student-to-student employment network. A.S. elections will take place today and continue until Wednesday.