Editor’s note: Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.
This year’s SGA election has two tickets for president and vice president of the student body. Aidan Clark and Carson Hodges are running together and believe they are the best fit for the position. Both have previous experience in SGA and believe they can utilize that knowledge to best serve the student population.
Each candidate was reached out to via email and asked about their platform and ideas.
Presidential candidate Aidan Clark (he/him)
Clark is a master’s student in public administration and is currently serving as the SGA student body vice president. He has served as vice president for the past two years and served in senate for two years before that. Clark is also the graduate assistant for student engagement, clubs and organizations and LIVE Leadership in the Student Life department.
What made you decide to run for your position?
The first reason I decided to run was to continue the projects that Axel [student body president] and I have been fighting for since day one. We have a couple of initiatives that are just starting to come to fruition, and I did not want to leave those to someone who was not involved in their creation and implementation.
Second, I wanted to run for president because I believe that Carson and I are the best-suited individuals to fight for the needs of students. We have a wealth of experience and strong relationships across campus that will allow us to get to work faster than those who lack these qualities.
Why do you think you’re a good fit for this position?
I have a greater wealth of experience within SGA than anyone else at the university. I am currently the longest-serving member of SGA, which means that I have had the ability to establish relationships that are essential to fighting for students. While other candidates would start their first six months building these relationships and learning how SGA works, I would start getting to work on day one.
What are your goals for this position/what changes do you want to make?
Increasing engagement on campus has always been my number one priority. However, because of recent budget challenges that SGA has faced, my number one goal as president would be to ensure that clubs and organizations have greater financial support than ever before.
As president, I also want to fight for better and more robust ADA accommodations on campus. It’s a problem that has existed on campus for a long time, but it’s worse now than ever before and it needs to be fixed ASAP. We need a UCCS that is accessible for everyone.
SGA is projected to go into the next fiscal year with a fairly empty reserve fund. How do you plan to address issues with lack of funding?
This solution is really in the hands of the students. If they want more funding for clubs, organizations and events, they can vote “yes” on the fee initiative that will be on the ballot. If they are OK with SGA not having any money to fund these things, then they can vote “no.” I’d love to give solutions for how to address the budget issues in SGA, but until the students have voted and made their voice heard, we won’t know if these budget issues truly exist or not.
Is transparency with the student body important to you? If so, how do you plan to ensure it? If not, explain why.
I think transparency is extremely important. It’s something that Axel and I have always prided ourselves on, and Carson and I plan to continue this. You can ask us any question you want, and we will always give you an answer or work to get you an answer as quickly as possible.
With that being said, I think its important to acknowledge that some information cannot be shared for valid reasons. Confidentiality is sometimes required in academia, and I want to make sure Carson and I help students understand that before they start getting mad at administration or other students.
How do you feel about the current state of SGA?
SGA obviously has struggles with funding currently, but aside from that, I am very proud of what they have accomplished. In my two years as vice president, I have seen SGA be more active than ever before, and I hope to continue supporting that trend as president.
How do you plan to encourage student engagement with SGA?
To keep other students engaged on campus, I want SGA to host more events like Friendsgiving that encourage students to come together and enjoy each other’s company. I plan on working on this initiative as president by hosting a community block party that not only engages students but also engages the wonderful community that surrounds us.
Vice presidential candidate Carson Hodges (he/him)
Hodges is a mathematics major with a physics minor who currently serves as the speaker pro tempore in senate. He has served in SGA for two years and has prior student government experience from high school. Hodges is involved in many clubs on campus, including serving as the president of the physics club.
What made you decide to run for your position?
I decided to run for this position in order to further the changes I saw being made by Aidan and Axel in my first two years at UCCS, so getting the opportunity to work together with Aidan to benefit this university is wonderful. In addition, I see this position as a new way to use my experience in student government.
Why do you think you’re a good fit for this position?
I know I am a good fit for this position both because of the experience I mentioned above and because I am able to make and maintain the crucial relationships that this position entails.
What are your goals for this position/what changes do you want to make?
Hodges declined to comment.
SGA is projected to go into the next fiscal year with a fairly empty reserve fund. How do you plan to address issues with lack of funding?
Hodges declined to comment.
Is transparency with the student body important to you? If so, how do you plan to ensure it? If not, explain why.
Hodges declined to comment.
Is transparency with the student body important to you? If so, how do you plan to ensure it? If not, explain why.
Hodges declined to comment.
How do you feel about the current state of SGA?
In my time with SGA, I have seen this organization grow in so many different ways. I feel that SGA is currently at a great point in terms of members and internal development. I can’t wait to see how we grow next year.
How do you plan to encourage student engagement with SGA?
I encourage any student to start and/or join a club, it is a wonderful chance to meet people and develop life skills, as well as being absolutely a blast. Our plans to increase student engagement include the continuation of the Friendsgiving event, hosting a community block party for both students and the surrounding community and more.
SGA’s election week begins on March 4 and will end on March 8 at 4 p.m. Students can learn more about the other candidates on SGA’s website.
Voting for the SGA election will be online. Students can vote here and learn more about the referendums here.
Carson Hodges (left) and Aidan Clark (right). Photo from the Student Government Association.