WILDCAT: What are your goals as student body president?
FRANTZMAN: To work with the athletic department to not only improve football stadium seating, but also for a student section in McKale Center. At the state level, I want to use the contacts I have gained as a congressional intern to fight for lower tuition and keeping tuition low. Another goal is to create later Safe Ride hours, and to work closely with the Collaboration Board.
MILLER: I would like to work on lowering tuition, students' rights, expanding the hours of Student Link and getting campus internet service for off-campus students. I would also like to work on increasing the professor-to-TAs ratio on campus and improve safety in residence halls.
PODBIELSKI: To make a significant change in advising, to be a strong force for the U of A at the state and regent level, to keep tuition low and affordable for students, and make progress in child care. I'd also like to revitalize the Collaboration Board.
QUINTERO: First and foremost, to reach out to a broader base of students through a few different ways: maintaining low tuition, having a more centralized advising system, work more with the Collaboration Board to include graduate students and multicultural programs. I also would like to create Cat Craze, a smaller-scale CatFest for students who come into the UA in the spring.
WILDCAT: How are you going to implement these goals?
FRANTZMAN: For student seating, I will work with the athletic department to find a cost-effective deal that will work for both of us. Due to financial constraints, a compromise has to be made. At the state level, I have worked with (Republicans) Ed Poelstra and Carol Somers and attained other contacts, which will enable me to better lobby on student's behalf.
MILLER: I would implement the state issues by working with Arizona Students Association and the Arizona Board of Regents. To implement the campus issues I would work with the individual departments and the ASUA student PULSE team to see what students want fixed.
PODBIELSKI: The best way is to have hard work and motivation. It is important to lobby at the state level and to make those connections. The student body president needs to know their stuff and do their homework and be able to speak about it.
QUINTERO: Working with the Arizona Student Association to work on tuition, working with the Advising Task Force and move the Collaboration Board into the ASUA President's Cabinet so they could have a budget and a foundation, which they are lacking right now.
WILDCAT: What separates you from the other candidates?
FRANTZMAN: Look at my voting history. I voted to keep the Mall for students while one of my opponents did not. I have a strong work ethic both in ASUA and in my fraternity and the other organizations that I have been involved with.
MILLER: I have experience in ASUA and other campus organizations. I have been a senator in ASUA for the past year and I am a Coronado resident assistant, a member of Sophos (sophomore honorary) as well as a member of Phi Eta Sigma honorary and a member of Swing Cats.
PODBIELSKI: My passion and willingness to really speak my mind. The president needs to be careful not to be intimidated by the administration and I can really put my foot down and stand up for the students. Also, I don't lie - will promise realistic things, things that can be accomplished. I have had experience with every facet of university life - I've lived in a dorm, I'm in a Greek organization, I live off campus and I work. I can really identify with the diversity of this campus.
QUINTERO: My experience, my excitement and my drive for the position. Through my experience with the Arizona Students Association and being a student lobbyist, I have first-hand experience with working at the state level. I'm not someone who backs down easily and I will stand up for students but I'm willing to make compromises with the administration.
WILDCAT: What can UA students expect from you as their president?
FRANTZMAN: They can expect good representation on things they care about, and on the issues that affect the average student, such as tuition and basketball seating. Another thing is better budget accountability so more of ASUA's money is spent directly on students in terms of programs and club funding.
MILLER: Students can expect to see tangible benefits to their lives. I am not a candidate who makes vague promises that can't be fulfilled. I will base my decisions on student's opinions because I don't have a personal agenda.
PODBIELSKI: They can expect a student leader who's honest and firm but fun. They can expect someone who represents their views and defends them when they're in trouble. Someone whose door is always open and will always be there for the students. I'll be like a secret protector, watching out for their best interests.
QUINTERO: They can expect a lot more visibility from me personally, by visiting clubs and organizations, residence halls and Greek houses. I want interaction with many different students because they have a lot of good ideas. I will be firm and make sure what the students want is heard by the administration. I will work closely with the Senate to make sure they are best representing students.
WILDCAT: Tell us something about yourself that most people don't know.
FRANTZMAN: I am a three-year senior. I've been abroad to Russia. Also, I grew up in Maine at a sporting camp that didn't have electricity.
MILLER: I love soccer. I had a partial scholarship to Pepperdine University in California but I decided I wanted to pursue an academic career at the UA instead. At first I was hesitant to come to the UA but from my first day here, I loved it.
PODBIELSKI: I'm Polish and I love going to Poland, I've been there three times. Also, I like Harry Potter - I don't really want to admit it but I really do like Harry Potter and David Duchovny, from the X-Files. He is my favorite.
QUINTERO: I really enjoy being around large groups of people. When I was younger, I used to be a shy person and I would be afraid going into large groups, but now I will go to places just because I want to be around a lot of people. I'm a people-watcher, its fun and cool to see how people interact.
- compiled by Maya Schechter, Emily Severson, and Kevin Clerici.
Editor's note: Tomorrow morning marks the beginning of primary elections for positions within the Associated Students of the University of Arizona. This year, the lone position affected by the primaries is president, where two of the four candidates will move on to general elections March 7-8. The Daily Wildcat asked each candidate five questions and placed their answers in alphabetical order.
