Wednesday, Feb.29,2012
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Final ASUSU candidates announced
Today's Issue: Campus News
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Sports
BY MEGAN ALLEN assistant news editor Current ASUSU officers announced the candidates who will be moving on to the finals portion of this week's student body elections. The race getting the most talk at the announcement was that for student body president. Hannah Blackburn had the highest number of votes, followed by Christian Thrapp. Thrapp earned his spot in the finals by one vote, beating Smitty Hartley and Adam Vail. "It's definitely exciting," Thrapp said. "Smitty and Adam were great opponents who would have done a great job. There's a lot of work ahead of us. Luckily, I have a great campaign committee who are backing me - turns out every vote counts." Blackburn said she is excited to be moving on and looks forward to the rest of the week. "I was surprised to see how close it was," she said. "I was hoping to make primaries and have some exciting things planned for finals. I'm excited to get out there and keep campaigning." Of the 17 positions being
filled in this election, five had more than two people running - the two candidates who received the most votes for each position in the primary elections will advance to the finals. The student advocate position was one requiring an elimination. Christian Orr had the most votes, followed by Anthony "Tr Pratt. "I am just oven\'helmed, grateful and thankful that Utah State students are actually getting out and voting," Pratt said. 'Tm still nervous, I have a lot to work on, but there's a lot riding on this campaign, and I'm just trying to keep it all together. I'm KELLEN HANSEN AND CHAISE WARR, candidates for Programming vice presigoing to come out with a new dent, talked about their platforms in a debate Tuesday. They are two of the candidates who flair and a new fire." will move on to final elections Wednesday and Thursday. DELAYNE LOCKE photo Orr said nothing has all student voters to be aware to helping the College of position against Mariana changed or developed in his that this position oversees Humanities and Social Ochoa platform during the first two the proper use of nullions of Sciences make huge strides "I just have to get people days of elections. He said he dollars of student fees and next year," Wilkinson said. to know my name and know plans to continue the same that needs to be a careful and "I hope something of that that I'm running," Niedrich campaign strategies and phieducation decision." nature can still happen." said. "It's all about name losophies through the finals. Rhett Wilkinson who With several candidates recognition." '1 feel very strongly that · was running for senator of running unopposed, two Final campaigning begins students need to do more the College of Humanities positions had students jump at 7 a.m. on Wednesday. The than just be heard, they need and Social Science:. was in with aggressive write-in announcement of the 2012-13 to be actively contributing. disqualified for not strictIr campaigns. Kyle Niedrich is officers will be made at 6:30 When they are just heard, following election guidlines, running for Service vice pres- p.m. on Thursday in the TSC very few speak and very said Kirsten Frank, executive ident against Jeremy Nef, and International Lounge. little gets done. I'm going to Tasi Taylor is \1ing for the continue to promote my plat- vice president. "I was looking forward Diversity and Organizations - megan.allen@usu.edu forms," he said. "I encourage
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The 2012 final elections begin today! Make sure to visit www. vote.usu.edu and cast your vote. Also, presidential candidates Hannah Blackburn and Christian Thrapp will participate in the final debate today at 11 a.m. in the TSC Hub.
BY D. WHITNEY SMITH copy editor
R-Clinton, recently passed the House and awaits review by the Senate. ' "Given what you see in society, (like Monday's) Ohio high school
shooting, everybody is scared to death - going to work, sending their kids to school, all this stuff that something like this happens,"
said USU Police Capt. Steve Milne. When asked how he thinks an open-carry law, if passed by With a concealed weapons permit, the Legislature, would affect lawit's legal for an individual to carry a enforcement personnel, Milne said, gun in the state of Utah-as long as "If you get somebody that suddenly it's concealed - including on camshows up (on campus) with a gun pus at USU, even though university and the paranoia that it causes - we policy may suggests otherwise. are going to get calls, and we're "University policy is you going to end up responding, and shouldn't have a gun on campus,» then there's going to be this debate said Eric Olsen, USU's associate on whether they can open carry or vice president for Student Services. not." "But the state law allows it, so the Milne said ifHB49 passes, university can't supercede state law." campus police will be busier dealHe said University of Utah ing with phone calls from worried administrators tried to push an students and faculty scared by seeing anti-gun policy a few years ago to someone carrying a weapon out in no avail. He also said Utah is one of the open on campus. USU Police only a few states - if not the only Chief Steve Mecham agreed. state - to allow guns on campuses. "Let's say a guy walks in, he's Utah state Legislature is currently got a concealed weapons permit, he considering an open-carry bill that THE UTAH LEGISLATURE IS CURRENTLY considering HB49, which walks in with a rifle in the middle would make it legal to carry a gun in would make it legal to carry a weapon out in the open, including on USU's of a class, people are scared to death, public without having to conceal it. campus, as long as the owner has a concealed weapons permit. Thinkstock photo - - - - - - - - - - ►)See POLICE, Page 3 HB49, sponsored by Rep. Paul Ray,
Presidential candidates discuss platforms BY CATHERINE BENNITT editor in chief Four ASUSU presidential candidates sat before USU students, faculty and staff in the primary debate to prove their knowledge of the position as well as what they can bring to improve academics and campus life. Erik Mikkelsen, 2011-12 student body presi• dent, asked Adam Vail, Hannah Blackburn, Smitty Hartley and Christian Thrapp questions about issues USU faces, including tight budgets Online exlusives, biogs, a pl.ace and the potential construction of the Athletic to comment on stories, videos Recreation Center and Legacy Fields. But Mikkelsen also made sure to ask what their and more. ·Free Classfieds, too. favorite flavor of Aggie Ice Cream was. m•,:~11ITIMJ'i'Iiil Hannah Blackburn, the 2011-12 ASUSU .__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _• public relations specialist, said she has a clear
understanding of how ASUSU functions through her experience and would go into her
66 I've been where you want to go." -.&dam Vall, ASUSlJ presidential candidate
term as president equipped with knowledge about USU policies and procedures she has been a part of. ''I've been where you want to go," said Adam Vail, a 33-year-old undergraduate student. "I know how to represent you and get you to
where you want to be. I know how to relate with you. I'm not here for popularity. I'm doing it for you. I'm doing it for now." • Hartley, a business tutor, said he should be the ASUSU president because he comes from a diverse background. He _said he has made a point to participate in a number of dubs and events and has great interest in interacting with as many USU students as he can to get their opinions on what they like and don't like about their college experience. "Why are you here right now?" asked Thrapp, a USU lobbyist and ambassador. "It's because you know one. of us or you want to change your university experience. That is my goal becoming the ASUSU president, so we can ►)See
CANDIDATES, Page 3