The Interclub Council and the De Anza Associated Student Body Senate hosted a debate for students vying for a senator position in the DASB’s annual elections on May 16 for the 2012-2013 term. This year, 56 students are campaigning for one of the 28 senator positions, with four students competing for the president and executive vice president positions. The debate entailed discussions on student issues, diversity, and the mass exodus of senators for the 2011-2012 term.
Torch coalition claims to come from experience, and said they can be effective from day one rather than fumbling around for the first month or so until they get a rhythm down.
“A lot of us have worked together for a long time and we make a good team,” said candidate Andrew Zhou.
Presidential candidate and current DASB chair of finance Pablo Zamorano acknowledged the mistakes of student senators overburdening themselves with classes and made promises to inform elected senators what they are in for and their list of duties, and to urge senators not take on too many units. He also emphasized the coalition’s goal of a well-marketed senate, making it more transparent and connected to the students.
Also on the Torch agenda is a push for an open source textbook program that would reduce the cost of textbooks for students.
The Real coalition distinguishes itself from the senate of “last year,” running with the slogan “A real government for real people.” Coalition candidates said know that the shenanigans of last year cannot repeat themselves if their fellow students wish to have an enjoyable and interesting college experience.
Practicality is one of the coalition’s focal points. “Real isn’t about to make promises it cannot keep” says Cynthia Ovandji. Promises Real did make include implementing new microwaves in the cafeteria to reduce the build up of lines, and having a speaker come to campus and represent a different minority group or culture each month.
Other ideas include making the De Anza website more user-friendly by including a “class tree” that would diagram pre-requisites and other course requirements a student needs before registering for higher division class.
