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Student Body President Candidates: Robert Carnes III

Photo courtesy of Robert Carnes III

(Photo courtesy of Robert Carnes III) 

Patriot Weekly submitted the following questions to the student body president candidates and is grateful for their responses.

Question: Why did you decide to run for student body president?

Ronald Carnes, III (paraphrased): There are a few reasons. I want to ensure student government has a good relationship with the administration because students can voice their concerns a lot better when both administration and student government have a good relationship.

I want to make sure students understand the benefits they have available to them because of the fees that are being charged to us. I want to make sure they get the most of [their experience?] given what they are paying for. There are many benefits that students have that they are paying for that they don’t know about or take advantage of.

I want to bring school spirit back after the pandemic. The college life experience has been different and I want to help bring that aspect back to campus life.

What do you hope to accomplish if elected?

This university’s art majors feel they like they are under-heard or misunderstood. I want to take action to change that. That is the biggest thing on my agenda if elected. But overall, one thing I hope to accomplish within my time as president is to make change for the better of students. If elected, I want to measure my success in this position [by whether] there has been positive change for students. Now that I am on the executive board [as vice-president], I can see all the work that Chloe [Dix] is doing to better the university, but I know I have not seen [past] presidents do anything in previous years. Maybe it's because I couldn't see what they're doing, but I want to ensure that students know I am making a change for them.

What qualifications or experiences do you feel prepare you for the role?

All the roles I have obtained here at UT-Tyler are president of Patriot Productions, Resident Assistant at Victory Village, Orientation Leader, Swoop Camp Leader and Vice-President of student government. I also have an active role in my fraternity, ATO. I have also attended many leadership conferences and trainings on how to be a leader.

Why should students vote for you instead of your opponent?

For a few reasons: One, I have the experience to be in a position like SGA president. Two, I am not afraid to talk to the administration and tell them that they are in the wrong. I am someone who cares deeply about this university. I am very passionate about making it a safe and enjoyable place for all people. As a gay man, it is hard to find a community that always accepts you, and I was able to find that place within this university. I want to make sure everyone else finds a community like that.

What will you do as student body president to address student complaints about scarce parking at the main campus?

This issue might not be on my agenda right now because current President Chloe [Dix] is already doing things to fix this, like alternating class schedules so there's less conjoined parking and adding that parking lot by the bell tower. I must continue her work if elected by seeing those things through. They plan on starting this [alternative class schedule] in the fall, so it must be addressed if the parking seems to stay the same. However, those issues have been settled. We'll have to wait, see how that plan works out, and then go on.

Do you support or oppose the possible loss of campus green space to construct new parking lots? 

I'm on the side of keeping our campus greener, but that might not be realistic because we are a growing campus and need more parking lots. I want to keep our campus as green as possible, but we also need to make room for more housing and parking lots.

Do you support or oppose the athletics fee increase proposal?

I am on the side of yes for the athletic fee increase. The positives outweigh the cons because with more events, more things happening on campus, and more opportunities to get your money back. Once people understand how they can make their money back through free swag or opportunities for on-campus jobs, etc., the list goes on, but once people understand what their fees fund, students will be more accepting of this fee increase.

What kind of support can you provide to students who feel that some of Swoop-N-Go's prices are unfairly high?

I'm still determining what power SGA has over that one because it's a contract that has already been signed and made, and I wonder if we possess the power to alter that.

Anything else you would like to say?

Please vote for me. I want to make this university a better place. Please let me help you improve this university for everyone now and in the future.

Robert Carnes III is a candidate for student body president in student government’s March 20-22 spring election.

 

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