By Christie S. Peterson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
In the ranks of Associated Students, the vice president for Programs and Services is charged with overseeing ASUA-sponsored operations such as the escort service and is second in command only to the president.
Following an uncontested race for this position last year, two candidates have emerged for next week's primary election: Andrea Major and David Weitzenfeld.
Major said the position of the vice president within ASUA is something that the office holder should use effectively. One of her stated goals is to increase the officer's involvement on campus by sitting on more committees and being fully knowledgeable of the ASUA constitution should she need to assume presidential duties.
"Just because the vice president is second in command, (he or she) needs to be seen and needs to do a lot," she said.
Two other issues Major is running on are the maintenance of the campus escort service and the contraction of a series of three to four "well-known" speakers to be presented on campus next year.
Major said the escort service is "highly successful," but she said she sees a need to strengthen it by creating a "diverse and large volunteer pool" to serve students during the evenings.
Having worked in ASUA Public Affairs and the speaker's board this year, Major said she recognizes the quality of past speakers such as Maya Angelou and Amy Tan, but generally feels that the university needs to attract "larger and more advanced speakers."
Weitzenfeld has also worked on the speaker's board and in Public Affairs, where he was the director this year.
In his current position, Weitzenfeld helps clubs and organizations on campus design advertisements, logos, or anything else they ask for. Increasing the availability of such services is one of his campaign issues.
"I've already demonstrated that I can do it," he said. "I just want to do it more."
He said he would also like to increase student involvement by creating a computerized data base which clubs may use to find students who have expressed an interest in such organizations.
"I want to make sure students know these resources are available," he said.
Another of his goals is bringing a leadership conference to the university, which many smaller schools do, "to raise funding for student events," he said.
Finally, Weitzenfeld would like to promote and increase funding to the ASUA-sponsored crisis helpline and CARE rape education program, which he said "will both be larger than next year, stronger than ever."
Both candidates will be available to speak to students at the "Meet the Candidates" forum Wednesday at 5 p.m. in Student Union Room 283.