The Colorado Mesa University (CMU) Associated Student Government (ASG) debates took place Wednesday evening, recorded by CMU-TV in their studio in Escalante Hall. The debate was co-moderated by Editor in Chief of The Criterion, Chris DeLeon, and Janine Hald.

The event kicked off with the four candidates for student trustee: Current Student Trustee Amara Hobbs, Senate Leader Colton Rupple, Justice Jasmin Tellez and Olivia VanGundy.

The first question raised was one that asked about the candidates’ thoughts on the most important aspects of the student trustee’s job.

“It’s important to be updated on all the [legislation] so that you can sit on the board of trustees and do your best to represent your students and do your best to get their points across,” VanGundy said.

VanGundy placed emphasis on building relationships with students and trustees. When an example of President Trump’s repeal on DACA arose, VanGundy said, “It’s important to remember who your students are, getting to know them and making sure you know how to present them to the Board of Trustees.”

“It’s very important to take it to ASG, somehow get an approved resolution,” Tellez said. She said it was also important to answer any questions the students may have. “As a student trustee, we can’t do our job if we aren’t listening to our [students],” Tellez said.

“If it was a specific population, I’d want to make sure I got their input and understood their concerns or questions that they had, for they are the affected population, so once I get all of that, I would then speak to the administration, whether that’s Tim Foster or John Marshall,” Hobbs said.

Rupple commended Flores, who was the trustee at the time, for the way he handled the situation. “When DACA was repealed by President Trump, the trustee then, Trustee Flores did an amazing job on how he proceeded with the process to present to the board,” Rupple said.

While discussing prior accomplishments conducive to their candidacy, Rupple talked about his experience with ASG immediately upon arriving at Colorado Mesa University. He joined during Freshman Year Initiative (FYI) week. “Throughout the whole year I worked with my fellow colleagues and changed the whole bylaws and constitution my freshman year,” Rupple said. Through that process, he became the senate leader.

Hobbs talked about the connections she built in her position. “Throughout this position, I built a lot of strong relationships with the board of trustees themselves and that has been huge in being able to advocate for the students and talk about ‘What are we doing?’, ‘How do we benefit CMU throughout the community?’” Hobbs said. “With that, I’ve been engaging with community members as well.”

Hobbs listed events that she helped set up, including the gubernatorial debate. She also spoke at the donor’s and scholar’s dinner and the December commencement.

Following the student trustee debate, there was a short commercial break while the candidates for ASG president and vice president set up. The presidential debate is covered in the Criterion article Flores-Bautista and Mason-Wagner face off at ASG debate.

Voting for the positions of student trustee and president and vice president will open on Monday and close Tuesday at 5 p.m.