As the semester ends and students refresh, so do the Associated Students of New Mexico State University (ASNMSU) who will have a new president and vice president for the coming school year.
Candidates gathered Mar. 30 to answer questions and speak with their fellow students and ASNMSU members directly. With only one candidate for each position, the forum served as an informational Q&A rather than the traditional debate.
Presidential candidate Carina Frisch took the stage first, giving her opening remarks.
“I decided to run for ASNMSU president because I have spent so much time in this position [public relations director], I felt like I would be able to give something to the students, and had an interesting perspective to bring,” Frisch said. “As public relations, I’m able to work with not just all of the departments in the executive branch, but also across [all] branches.”
Frisch emphasized that successful initiatives are those that have a good student government team. She said that in order for that to happen, ASNMSU must start enhancing their outreach and stop centering their events around the Corbett Center Student Union.
“As an ACES [College of agriculture, consumer and environmental sciences] gal, I don’t come towards Corbett unless I’m going to work,” Frisch said. “So, I think in order to hear those voices, we need to make sure that we’re spreading out onto campus more.”
Whether it be small or large actions, Frisch’s priorities aim at expanding outreach and finding new engaging activities.
Frisch also highlighted that many students have expressed distaste toward ASNMSU. To change this, her goal is to be more open to criticism and listen more to the students at NMSU.
“I think that being able to understand why people feel that way about our student government and then trying to adjust and make sure that their perspectives are being listened to, and hopefully we make adjustments to improve what they had issues with, is very important.” Frisch said.
If elected as ASNMSU president, Frisch will be required to collaborate with university administrators as a representative for the student population.
“My goals will always be aligned for the betterment of the students,” Frisch said.
As president, Frisch aims to work on smaller projects benefitting the majority of students rather than big projects that might only benefit smaller groups.
During the open question section of the forum an attendee addressed concern about Frisch being part of Greek life and how that may interfere with her ability to separate the two things in the senate.
The issue of Greek life interference and preference within ASNMSU is not a new topic. In 2024 The Round Up received a letter to the editor discussing the issue of Greek life in ASNMSU.
In response, Frisch claimed that this is not a problem for her. She said throughout her years she’s always put ASNMSU as a priority of Greek life. She said it’s important to hold other Greek life and ASNMSU members accountable and ensure they separate and prioritize their duties serving students without bias.
Concluding her section of the forum, Frisch said she cannot promise everything she wants to achieve will happen but said she’ll do everything in her power to achieve her goals during her term if elected.
Next to answer questions was vice president candidate Esperanza Baca.
In her opening remarks, Baca discussed some of her achievements in the Senate and revealed some of the weaknesses within the Senate she plans to fix, such as senator education and student outreach.
“[If elected] As VP, I’m committed to running an efficient Senate that’s more common knowledge among the student body.” Baca said.
Baca emphasized the need for senate participants to be properly educated and trained so they can fulfill their duties to their best potential.
“To run an efficient meeting, the number one thing you need is efficient participants,” Baca said. “I think this is kind of where we’re lacking as a Senate right now. We’re expecting our new Senators to learn the reimbursement process, parliamentary procedure, how to write a bill, their contacts, the software, the committee responsibilities all-in one-half day Senate orientation, and this is just not enough.”
Baca said she’s committed to finding the best form of Senator education and wants to start by enhancing the Senator mentorship program.
“What I would like to do is create more of a culture of pride within our mentee system,” Baca said.
Another mission of Baca’s is to ensure Senators are held accountable and receiving support through performance reviews. This would allow senators to get constructive criticism and compliments to better themselves. She also plans to use this in helping guide the mentorship program.
Baca also addressed the lack of resource knowledge students might have regarding ASNMSU. Baca and Carina agree that the Senate and the Public Relations department need to work together to inform students and campus organizations of operations like reimbursements and funding assistance.
Baca said educating students on these subjects could show them that there are many things ASNMSU can pay for to benefit students. These could be Graduate Record Examinations, Law School Admission Test, Medical College Admission Test, as well as transcripts for grad school and other certifications.
Along with helping manage the executive branch, Baca will also oversee the Senate and will need to help resolve and manage conflicts, something she admits she’ll need to improve.
“I’m a nursing student. I don’t do things to be eighty percent good or ninety percent good. I study to be one hundred percent because when I’m studying it’s the difference between life and death,” Baca said. “Now, obviously this would not be the difference between life and death, but it would be the difference between wasting people’s time and getting them home sooner.”
Both candidates expressed their thanks, and the forum concluded.
Voting for ASNMSU president and vice president will be held on crimson connect. Voting will open April 13 at 8 a.m. and close April 17 at 5 p.m.
