CSUN election preview

March 30, 2009 by Haley Etchison 

The presidency might be sealed, but the races for student body vice president and Senate president are still hotly contested.

Controversy shook CSUN when Student Body President Adam Cronis, who is running unopposed for reelection, announced his endorsement of newcomer Daniel Gonzalez and veteran senator Victor Barragan. Education Senator Paige Hanson and Business Senator David Rapoport form the opposing ticket.

Rapoport, who is challenging Gonzalez for the vice presidential office, turned heads when he requested the release of Cronis’ e-mails under the Freedom of Information Act in February. He explained that his actions were motivated by good intentions, saying he was exercising his right as a student check the activity of government executives.

“There is a unique situation this year with [Cronis] running unopposed,” Rapoport explained, “and I want to make sure that he is up to the standards that I as a student require of my public officials, which is what I hope my constituents expect from me as their senator.”

Cronis expressed discontent with Rapoport’s actions at the time, saying that he believed them to be driven by political motives.

“I believe what Sen. Rapoport is looking for is evidence illegality or unethical behavior,” he said.

Set to lead the student body for another year, Cronis addressed his constituents gratefully.

“Thank you to all who have collaborated with me and supported me and have been there throughout this year working on our goals in terms of improving student life,” he said. “

”We’re going to build on that model and try to pursue those ends with improved equipment for students, more scholarships and continuing to demand productivity and efficiency in CSUN and giving students the very best.”

 

Daniel Gonzalez

Student body Vice President candidate

Daniel Gonzalez is a new face in the CSUN crowd but he trusts his outside experience has prepared him for the role of student body vice president.

A member of LEAD Team and a former orientation leader, he is president of the Student Organization of Latinos and vice president of the Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society. 

“I want to represent the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with integrity and respect,” Gonzalez said. He emphasized the importance of fighting budget cuts, assuring students that he will be a strong leader against possible financial devastation of UNLV.

“I want to continue the fight against the budget cuts and empower students in order for their voices to be heard,” he said. “Students need to know that their degree will be worth the hard work they put into it and I want them to know that their student government is truly behind them.”

Gonzalez is confident in his candidacy because he thinks his devotion to student issues is crucial.

“I have spent my time at UNLV dealing with issues that I truly believe in and I feel the experience and passion that I bring to the table will be a valuable asset to the office of vice president,” he said. “I am proud to be a UNLV Rebel and I will work tirelessly to represent the student body and make this an even greater university.”

Gonzalez said he believes “students deserve someone they can count on and is passionate about student issues.”

A political science major, Gonzalez is in his junior year at UNLV.

 

Victor Barragan

Senate President candidate

Victor Barragan is a third-year senator for the college of sciences. 

He is chair of the Bylaws Committee and vice chair of the Scholarship Committee and he sits on the Rules and Ethics and Constitutional Revisions and Ways and Means Committees.

“I feel that I have a good grasp on how things should be run in the Senate, given my experience,” Barragan said. “I want to integrate the Senate and help the senators work with each other and with their constituents to be as efficient and productive as possible.”

Barragan and his fellow Sciences Sen. Le Shelle Perez are active representatives of their college, conducting regular meetings with their deans and participating in many student organizations.

“I have brought more awareness to the sciences college about CSUN, and have connected well with the students,” he said. “I am active in the sciences college, conducting research in the biochemistry department.”

Barragan wants to use his experience and determination to benefit a larger group of students as Senate president.

“Being a good leader can serve as a good example to the 25 senators that sit in the Senate and I feel I can fulfill this role to its maximum.”

Barragan is pursuing a double major in biochemistry and psychology, toward his goal of studying medicine. He is an avid animal rights activist and a proud vegetarian.

 

David Rapoport

Student body Vice President candidate

Sophomore David Rapoport has served as a senator for the business college since fall of 2008. He is chair of the Ways and Means Committee and a member of the Campus Life Committee.

An alumnus of the American Legion Nevada Boys State, Rapoport is now on the staff for Nevada Boys State. He is a veteran of the LeaderShape Institute.

“My goals for student government in the next years is a productive, efficient and responsive organization that does its best to reach out and serve all students at UNLV,” Rapoport said. He emphasized that his experience in CSUN sets him apart from his competition, explaining that he understands the inner workings of student government.

Part of the strength of Rapoport’s race lies in his stand determination to offer students what he sees as the best possible candidacy, despite the challenge of running without a presidential candidate.

We decided to run forward with the campaign rather than put someone before the student body with we didn’t think was the best,” he said of his campaign with Senate president candidate Paige Hanson. “We decided to both runs as strong member of the ticket.”

Rapoport is a new member of Zeta Beta Tau. His is majoring in management information systems.

 

Paige Hanson

Senate President candidate

Third year Education Sen. Paige Hanson is an alumna of LeaderShape and shows her qualification to be Senate president through her academic study in leadership.

Hanson is chair of the Senate Development Committee and sits on the Campus Safety and Awareness Committee in CSUN. She is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta.

“I love it and it rally brings a persona aspect to Senate,” she said of her role in Senate development, explaining that her committee is responsible for much of the education that helps representatives in student government understand their rights and privileges as well as the proper procedures for Senate meetings.

“My vision for CSUN centers around communication and collaboration between all of the interworkings of CSUN and the student body,” Hanson said. “I want to make CSUN an organization that works for and benefits all students at UNLV.”

Hanson is a junior, majoring in secondary education and has dual minors in political science and leadership.

 

Vote online through the registration (Wednesday and Thursday) Web site by following these steps:

Go to register.unlv.edu

Choose “Register Online” on the lieft

Proceed to online registration

Once you log in, you will find “VOte UNLV Elections” at the bottom of the left column

Follow the directions and cast your vote