Rylee Jue is running unopposed for the role of Associated Students (AS) president this year. When she pitched herself at an AS election debate Wednesday, about a dozen Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) students were scattered throughout the World Theater, which seats 400.
In this case, the term “debate” seems generous. Candidates for all but one position – AS senator for the college of arts, humanities, and social sciences (CAHSS) – are running unopposed. Several candidates were not in attendance, and instead submitted video introductions and answers to prepared questions; live audience questions came mostly from AS members.
“Many students don’t even know they have a student government to help bring attention to their needs and concerns,” said Jue, a third-year health and human services and social behavioral science double major. “This is not OK.”
Just as “affordability” has become the go-to political buzzword at large, “engagement” took center stage at the debate. Several candidates touched on it in their speeches, including Christian Salama, Felicia Zamora and Zamira Castro – candidates for college of science senator, graduate studies senator and vice president of university affairs, respectively.
The sparse audience seemed most engaged during the CAHSS senatorial debate, when candidates Tyler Geipel, Aaliyha Galindo and Jaylin Van Guilder faced off. Only Geipel and Galindo were present for the debate; Van Guilder had submitted video statements in her absence.
“I didn’t hear about this position until last semester. I didn’t even know this position existed, and I think that should speak volumes about the awareness that we have about these positions and what they can do for everyone in the department,” said Galindo. “Awareness is key, and I think that’s what I want to bring to the forefront of this.”
Geipel, meanwhile, pitched a relationships-based approach to engagement. “I plan to be the voice that listens,” he said. “I will always bring up events going on through the upcoming months. And if you ever have a comment or question about [CAHSS] events, you can always stop me if you see me on campus, or even if you just need a friend to talk to. I would love to hear from you guys.”
Van Guilder’s recorded statements focused on the academic diversity of CAHSS, CSUMB’s second-largest college by enrollment. “I’d make it a point to meet regularly with students and organizations across both the arts and social sciences, to understand their needs firsthand. By bringing those voices together, we can find common ground, like fostering creativity and ensuring strong communication, which will uplift the entire college community.”
The apparent engagement challenges did little to dim the spirits of debate participants. One candidate in particular, Jasmine Torres, considers tackling the issue a cornerstone of the duties she would take on as vice president of external affairs.
“As vice president of external affairs, engagement is a core part of the role,” said Torres in a video statement. “If a student was not engaged in civic engagement, the best way is to try to meet them where they’re at, whether that be tabling for information about upcoming elections or hosting cleanups and other ways to get involved. Civic engagement looks different for every person, and meeting them where they’re at is how I would handle that.”
Photos by Elliot Rowe