Candidates for Associated Students (A.S.) elections exchanged ideas and blows at the Spring 2022 Virtual Forum hosted by The Corsair.

On Monday, The Corsair hosted a virtual Candidate Forum on Zoom to kick off election week for Associated Students (A.S.). Moderated by Corsair Editor-in-Chief Katheryne Menendez, the online forum saw 10 of the 12 A.S. candidates answer several questions regarding their reasoning for running, the stances they hold on certain issues, and what they hope to achieve if elected.

In attendance was Kamiko Greenwood, Olivia Taha, Mei Ting Denise Lui, Tabassum Raisa, Alyssa Arreola, Esmeralda Hernandez, Yanette Beas, Chloe Heo, Forest Mcclendon, and Veronica Lin.

Each candidate was given one minute to answer each question. The candidates largely focused on the need for more student outreach regarding A.S. and its activities, and addressed the difficulties faced during the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent push to online. They also commented on how their leadership styles operate, and how they would ensure all student voices are acknowledged and respected.

The Forum also saw a few heated exchanges between the two A.S. Presidential candidates, Kamiko Greenwood and Olivia Taha. Taha, the current Inter-Club Council (ICC) Vice Chair, criticized Greenwood and the other current A.S. Directors for proposing a collaboration between A.S. and JPMorgan Chase Bank.

She argued that because A.S. uses a Chase bank account to store and manage collected A.S. membership fees, this action is “actively funding the destruction of our planet,” referencing the company’s history of investing in fossil fuel companies.

“The values that our school stands for such as community and sustainability do not align with a partnership with the biggest funder of environmentally-destructive projects across the world. Unfortunately, my opponent is in favor of collaboration with Chase and is currently working on keeping ties with Chase,” Taha said.

Greenwood, currently the A.S. Director of Student Advocacy, refuted her opponent’s statements, telling her to “fact-check before spilling out false accusations.”

“I was the Board of Director to call for an investigation in export and sustainable practices to review documentation Chase gave. I also called for a conversation with Chase to understand how and where A.S. students’ money was funded, in which we were told, are not invested in fossil fuels. I make sure to fact-check and have all the information to make an important decision in consultation with the student body,” Greenwood said.

Other questions included regarded candidacy, visions, plans to improve A.S for the 2022-2023 school year, among others.

To watch the full recording of the Candidate Forum, visit The Corsair’s YouTube Channel, TheCorsairOnline.

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