Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Brandon Lem ASI Director of Social Sciences and Interdisiplinarian Studies and Executive Vice Presidential candidate Robert Linch talks to Frank Nguyen, senior business major, about the Imagine Revolution slate at Coffee and Conversation on Thursday. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Brandon Lem Executive Vice Presidential candidate Roberto Torres talks to Louis Gagne, senior communications major, about the Action slate at Coffee and Conversation on Thursday. [Click to enlarge]

Students wandering through the University Union grabbed free cups of French roast and met with Associated Students Inc. board candidates Thursday morning.

The coffee was courtesy of Coffee and Conversation, an event organized by ASI to give students a chance to chat with candidates about their political platforms for the upcoming student government elections.

While most students drifted in and out, Joel Clark, senior geography major, and Chris Conner, senior psychology major, mingled with the candidates almost the whole event.

"Tuition is one of the biggest issues," Clark said. "And we were having some problems with MySacState. (Robert Linch) said they are really tied to Gonzalez and the whole administration and have the closest connection."

Clark said he wanted to talk to the candidates since they have influence in these areas.

Clark and Conner also wanted to start a board game club to help students relax between classes, but couldn't get storage for the equipment.

Linch, who is running for the executive vice president position on the Imagine Revolution slate, discussed some possibilities with them.

Aurelio Melgoza, junior criminal justice major, said he enjoyed learning about all the program possibilities. Melgoza was one of many students who had a recurring question: What does ASI do?

"I've gotten really good at answering that question," Linch said.

Students gravitated to the free coffee, but some candidates were proactive and approached students and invited them to discuss any concerns.

"A lot of the people think there is a catch, then they open up," said Kathryn Murray, the Action slate candidate for vice president of Academic Affairs.

ASI held one Coffee and Conversation earlier this semester, a meet and greet with current Executive Vice President Miguel Cervantes.

Thursday's event, however, was organized to coincide with candidate campaigns, which began on Monday.

ASI representatives urged students to vote on April 29 and make their mark, but ASI Marketing Coordinator Angela Hong also stressed that the event was a reminder that ASI works for students.

"The end goal is to serve the students, just being here if they have questions, we are always here," Hong said.

Chloe Daley can be reached at cdaley@statehornet.com.

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