Student body officer candidates speak to the public ahead of elections

With elections for a new student body president coming up and campaigns underway, candidates took the opportunity to speak to the public on Monday. 

Attendees were given the opportunity to hear from and ask questions to student body officer (SBO) candidates, including presidential candidates Al Cuizon, Jr., a junior political science major, and Frank Flores, a freshman mechanical engineering major. 

The questionnaire started off with each of the candidates being asked what they like about the senate and what they would like to change. 

“We have over 30 people this year in Senate. It’s the largest I’ve ever seen, and I want to keep that,” Ryan Dodd, junior computer science major and candidate for director of administration said. “In terms of what I would like to change, I would want to work to make senate more open and available to students.” 

Each candidate was then asked about the steps they have taken to prepare for the positions they are running for. 

“I’ve really taken in a lot from [current SBOs], just really paying attention to what they were doing,” Sabrina Rodriguez, freshman mechanical engineering and chief of staff candidate said. “I also feel like leadership roles that I’ve had in the past, like in high school, have really set me up in a good position on taking a leadership role.” 

The candidates acknowledged a lack of transparency as a prior issue in Student Senate, prompting them to discuss how they would work on improving communication between the school’s administration and students. 

“I think network[ing] is a really big denominator in this area,” Cuizon, Jr. said. “[We need to] have open communication and a two-way conversation with any and all students.” 

The candidates were also asked about how they would work with the new administration, especially with a new president at Bradley. 

“I believe it’s gonna be interesting how we’re going to work this out,” Flores said. “We’re putting this president in a pretty difficult situation, but we have to look at not the position, but the person.” 

As the assembly reached an end, each candidate shared the general impact they hope to have if they are elected. 

“I hope to make Bradley the best version it can be,” Flores said. “I want to carry a legacy where the next president can say, ‘That was really good.’”

“Our goal is to talk with the administration, discuss amongst ourselves within a student government body, and then bring it back to you,” Cuizon, Jr. said. “It’s not about positions, it’s about the communication of ideas.” 

Elections will happen on Tuesday. More information regarding the race can be found via the Senate’s Instagram.