Photo courtesy of James Evans.
USUAA Senator Arel Gutierrez spoke with The Northern Light through email about his candidacy. Gutierrez is a candidate for president in the upcoming USUAA election and is running on a ticket with Emily Hufford as vice president.
Why are you running for President?
Gutierrez wrote that he aims to continue the work of President Eisa Chang by continuing to advocate for students. According to Gutierrez, many members are leaving USUAA following this semester, and he wants to ensure the student government’s presence at UAA continues. Gutierrez wrote that he accepts being a leader students can turn to — whether to place blame on or seek support when they are at their lowest. He said, “I accept the role to be the one who carries the torch to light the path of where our organization will go.”
If elected, what are your goals? How do you plan to accomplish them?
Gutierrez and running mate Emily Hufford have established five core values for their campaign. These goals include fostering community at UAA, building a stronger connection between USUAA and students, advocating for mental health resources and menstrual products on campus, removing synchronous zoom classes in favor of in-person or fully online courses and continuing the work of the Chang and Norton administration in promoting individual freedoms at UAA. More details can be found on their website.
How have your prior positions/experiences prepared you for this role?
Gutierrez has served as a delegate for the College of Engineering and secretary for the Coalition of Student Leaders. He currently serves as a senator, the Government Relations Officer, Legislative Affairs Committees chair, Vice Chair to the Coalition of Student Leaders, General Education Council representative, and member of the Activities Committee.
In these roles, Gutierrez wrote that he has learned the importance of representing students' opinions and concerns and the importance of encouraging different points of view in decision-making processes. “We need opposition to make better detailed decisions.”
How do you feel USUAA is helpful to the UAA community?
Gutierrez wrote that students are the core of any university, and USUAA offers representation for students to be heard by administrators. He noted that representation helps encourage students to take on leadership roles to voice their own concerns and those of others.
How can students be more involved with USUAA?
Gutierrez wrote that students can join student government as a senator or delegate, attend USUAA events, advertise events, use the USUAA office to voice concerns or leave submit ideas on the board outside of the USUAA office using a sticky note. Issues brought to attention by students are discussed in weekly committees.
.jpg)
