ASA challenges ASUA candidates to combat student disinterest

Robert Henry Becker Arizona Daily Wildcat Associated Students Senate candidate Summer Katzenbach (right) hangs up campaign posters in McClelland Hall with the help of Chantelle Brewer, marketing sophomore. Sunday afternoon was the first opportunity to hang up campaign posters, although many buildings were locked.

"Every year during elections, without fail, the issue of apathy comes up, and that the Associated Students of the University of Arizona isn't getting students involved," said Jeff Schrade, ASA task force director.

To combat apathy, Schrade challenged each candidate to recruit five students to attend the ASA-sponsored Legislative Conference Feb. 27 at the Arizona Capitol.

The one-day conference includes information sessions on state government and allows students to meet with legislators, Schrade said in a letter to the candidates Feb. 12.

Senate candidate Paul Zaragoza, finance junior, said he had not heard about the conference before Schrade's challenge.

"I was thinking of maybe going. I was probably going to talk to a few people about it," he said.

Senate candidate Stephanie Lyons, political science junior, said that as of yesterday, she has recruited two to three students to go and was thinking about going herself.

"College students seem to be the most lethargic group that could have a lot of power if they took a stand."

Presidential candidate Brook Rosenbaum, junior majoring in French and political science, said he attended last year's conference. Using the challenge as a tool is a great way of getting students up to the conference, he said.

The conference will offer workshops on tuition, issues in higher education, the board of regents and university and state budgets. The Legislature deals with issues that have a direct impact on the cost of tuition, attendance and student fees, Schrade said.

"It's really easy to forget that this stuff doesn't just happen," he said.

Senate candidate Summer Katzenbach, sophomore majoring in Spanish and political science, said she has been working with ASA to recruit students and letting them know about the conference for the past few weeks.

"I think its a great idea to incorporate the conference into the campaign," Katzenbach said.

The 10th annual Legislative Conference is sponsored by ASA and is free for students. Enrollment forms are available in ASUA's offices above the UA Associated Students Bookstore.