ASMSU College of Engineering Senators

The following response have been submitted by students running for election as College of Engineering Senators.

Rex Wu, Malcom Wogoman, and Dylan Richards

In a tweet, why should MSU students vote for you?

Dylan Richards: The path toward progress is one we must all walk down together. With me as your senator, I will make sure your voices are heard to make this path as promising as possible.

Malcolm Wogoman: I am a passionate and committed candidate who will put in endless effort to build a more inclusive, varied and sustainable campus environment for everyone, so MSU students should support me. Vote for me in the #ASMSUelections

Rex Wu: Vote for me to be your ASMSU senator for NACOE because I am passionate about promoting fiscal responsibility, increased security/visibility for vulnerable students and students rights at-large. Let's make MSU a better place together! #ASMSUsenate #rexwuforasmsu #studentleadership #changemaker #FTG

Why are you running to be an ASMSU senator?

Dylan Richards: I am running for ASMSU Senate to be a voice for the students who feel their voices aren't being heard during these tumultuous times on campus. I especially feel that students of marginalized communities and of lower income aren't proportionally represented in the Senate. The ASMSU Senate and the students I represent deserve a fierce advocate for students who is willing to fight tooth and nail for them.

Malcolm Wogoman: In general, I'm running for ASMSU senator because I'm passionate about making a difference and trying to build a campus environment that is more welcoming, long-lasting, and supportive for all students. I am enthusiastic about the chance to help my fellow students in this capacity because I feel that my knowledge, experience, and dedication to these topics make me a strong candidate for this position.

Rex Wu: First and foremost, I'm running for ASMSU senator in order to represent the interests of the students in NACOE. I would also like to add that although the position that I'm running for states that I'll be representing the interests of NACOE, if elected I'll make myself accessible to all students regardless of which college they're enrolled in. This is because I strongly believe in collaboration between everyone on campus. It's too often that we see different departments at our beloved MSU behave as almost separate universities when they should be closely collaborating with each other, in order to build a more cohesive, and welcoming campus community. If elected senator I will work tirelessly to build a coalition that encompasses students from all colleges on-campus and advocates for fiscal transparency, increased security/visibility for vulnerable students, and students rights at-large.

If elected, what would be your top priorities as senator and why?

Dylan Richards: My priorities include advocacy for underrepresented students and their issues, pushing for higher wages across campus to combat the cost-of-living crisis facing Bozeman, and pushing to improve existing campus facilities as opposed to spending millions on shiny new buildings.

Malcolm Wogoman: I also have a strong commitment to fostering environmental stewardship and sustainability on campus. I want to utilize my influence as a senator to push for regulations and programs that put sustainability first because I think our university has a duty to lessen its environmental impact. I am dedicated to speaking up for the interests and concerns of graduate students since I am an advocate and am aware of their particular needs and challenges. Because I think graduate students contribute significantly to our academic community, I want to make sure that their needs are satisfied and that their opinions are heard.

Rex Wu: If elected, my top priorities would be fiscal transparency, increased security/visibility for vulnerable students, students rights at-large.

What ideas do you have to address those priorities?

Dylan Richards: My plan is to sit down with any student who wishes to voice a concern with me, and working to formulate my policy proposals based on their feedback. As for wage increases, I will push for an investigation into the average cost of living here in Bozeman, and then push for wages to be adjusted based on those findings.

Malcolm Wogoman: I think it's critical to work toward achieving a more varied presence in leadership and decision-making bodies on campus in order to address the priority of inclusivity. This could be accomplished by taking steps like increasing outreach to underrepresented groups by working with diversity-focused student organizations, providing opportunities for student feedback on campus policies and initiatives, and pushing for more diversity and inclusion training for faculty, staff, and students. I would support activities like enacting more environmentally friendly rules on campus, such as lowering the usage of single-use plastics and stepping up recycling efforts, in order to promote sustainability and eco-friendliness. I would also recommend that the institution boost campus use of sustainable transportation options and make investments in renewable energy.

Rex Wu: I've personally met with both executive tickets running for ASMSU, and both tickets seem extremely willing to talk to the administration in order to help us gain increased fiscal transparency as to where our student fees are allocated, however personally on this matter I would advocate for the ASMSU President or VP send out an email whenever a bill or resolution is passed involving student fees. As for increased security/visibility for vulnerable students I'm committed to connecting students that have serious allegations to UPD, and helping in fostering a culture of trust between the student body and UPD, I'm also committed to working with the admin and UPD in order to expedite the process of obtaining no-contact orders when the allegations have merit, I do not believe that anyone should have to have any contact with their abuser once substantiated proof has been presented.

What relevant experience equips you to be a senator?

Dylan Richards: I have several years of leadership experience under my belt from my time in Boy Scouts, including a year as Senior Patrol Leader, essentially the head youth leadership role in my troop.

Malcolm Wogoman: I am running for ASMSU senator because I have a variety of abilities and traits that make me a good fit for the position. I have a track record of success in both leadership and cooperation, and I have the ability to work well with a variety of people and organizations to achieve objectives. Additionally, I am dedicated to identifying workable solutions to the problems affecting our community and have a thorough understanding of the policies, practices, and organizational structure of our university. I am a passionate advocate who is dedicated to improving the lives of others. I am a skilled problem-solver who is effective at recognizing and tackling complicated challenges. Last but not least, I have excellent time management abilities and organizational skills that enable me to juggle a variety of obligations and keep my promises to the student body as well as my other endeavors. I would use these abilities and traits as an ASMSU senator to represent my fellow students with dependability and dependability and to work relentlessly to make our campus a more welcoming, varied, sustainable, and inclusive place for everyone.

Rex Wu: Some relevant experience that equips me especially well to be your ASMSU senator is that I am holding or have held leadership roles in Chinese Culture Club and A.S.I.A. Given the current national political climate these student organizations have gone through many difficulties the past couple of years, I have been successful in assisting these organizations in navigating these difficult situations. Currently our campus is going through what I would frame as an identity crisis, certain groups on campus although well intentioned have been attempting rapid change from both sides of the political spectrum. Using my prior leadership experience, if elected on my first day on the job I'll make overtures to both sides, to sit down and discuss their visions for the future of our university. I strongly believe that overall, most students on campus simply want what's best for our university, it's just due to how polarized the national political climate is individuals from both sides of the isle refuse to talk to each other, I aim to bring as many people from as many diverse backgrounds together under the banner of ASMSU, so that their concerns can be aired through the proper channels.