It’s time to pick ASMSU’s next executive team: Hear from your candidates!

Editor's Note: On Monday, April 14, the Exponent was informed that Micah James dropped out of the running over the weekend. Taylor Bookwalter is now running with a new vice presidential candidate, Michael Menuey, and the two are running as write-in candidates.

Hello Bobcats! It’s that time of year again: Yard signs are popping up like spring tulips all over campus, which means annual campaigns for the Associated Students of MSU (ASMSU) are underway!

ASMSU is the student government here on campus, comprised of an executive, legislative and judicial branch — and every year, students get the vote for who they want to represent them. Student government not only controls numerous student programs, but a yearly budget of over a million dollars, according to the MSU website. These ‘Cats frequently make decisions that impact student life and enact change on campus. For example, they’re the ones who initiated MSU’s medical amnesty policy and created the Procrastinator Theater. They also organize events on campus — such as the annual Rail Jam and the Battle of the Bands  — and lobby in the state legislature to represent student interests.

This year, ASMSU’s General Elections will be held from April 15 to 6 p.m. on April 16. While there won’t be an option for in-person voting, a QR code will be available that links to online voting at the ASMSU table on Centennial Mall during both days. There will also be QR codes throughout the Union Market, according to ASMSU Elections Director Kershaw Mellot.

For this edition, the Exponent decided to feature the two teams running for ASMSU president and vice president. Each team provided short bios and answered a questionnaire. It is our hope that providing the candidates’ ideas in their own words can help you decide who to vote for. Only one team can win, and the ball’s in your court, Bobcats. Without further ado, meet your candidates!

TAYLOR BOOKWALTER & MICAH JAMES

Taylor Bookwalter, Presidential Candidate

Hey Cats! I’m Taylor Bookwalter, and I am excited to run for your next ASMSU president. I’m a fourth-year student studying hospitality management, a minor in Hispanic studies and pursuing a leadership certificate. I have served as an ASMSU senator for the last two years and acted as the Speaker Pro-Tempore this last year. Through these roles, I have championed RSO funding, campus accessibility and off-campus student life. Leading others is something that truly drives me, and nothing is more fulfilling than advocating for those I have the privilege to serve. I’m ready to take my experience and passion for leadership to the next level as your ASMSU president!

Micah James, Vice Presidential Candidate

What's up, Bobcats! I’m Micah James, and I’m excited to be in the running to be your next ASMSU vice president! As a sophomore majoring in computer science and graphic design, I’ve loved getting involved and connecting with our amazing community. From serving as an orientation leader to being part of the MSU Spirit Squad and Sigma Phi Epsilon, I’ve embraced every chance to support and represent you all. I'm thrilled for the opportunity to amplify your voices and make a positive impact at MSU. Let’s make this happen, Bobcats!

TAYLOR & MICAH'S QUESTIONNAIRE ANSWERS:

What is the value of ASMSU to students?

The value of ASMSU to students is that it exists solely to act as their voice in all matters. It is designed to support students, providing them with the necessary resources to achieve success. ASMSU is there to serve you.

Where do you think ASMSU succeeds and where could it improve?

We think that ASMSU succeeds in its handling of issues brought forward by students. Not every solution can be achieved overnight, but through dedicated, long-term problem solving, ASMSU resolves the problem and things like CatTracks or the Office of Off-Campus Student Life are created. We believe that ASMSU needs to improve in several areas, but namely accessibility. Most students are unaware of ASMSU’s existence or reach, which hinders its ability to best serve all students. Because of this, we are looking to hold more ASMSU engagement events for students to provide direct feedback on their college experience.

What initiatives are you planning to focus on?

Our platform centers on three core factors: accessibility, work-life balance and affordability. We had some trouble coming up with these, and we are both passionate about improving every aspect of the student experience, but through peer feedback, these are what we decided were the most important. The accessibility pillar pertains to access to resources, personnel and our campus as a whole. The life balance pillar is particularly important to us as we both know and understand the struggles of putting yourself through school. We both work off-campus jobs, attend school and participate in extracurricular activities, which can be taxing. We want to ensure that students facing similar challenges feel supported and know that they can achieve a school, work and life balance. The affordability pillar focuses on reducing the cost of the student experience in any way possible. Since the state determines tuition and fee costs, we want to make sure that we are only advocating for increases that benefit students. Additionally, we aim to continue reducing costs for students by providing services that they would have otherwise had to pay for. If there is a way to decrease the cost without losing the integrity of the goods or services, we will find it.

Why do you think students should vote for you?

We think that students should vote for us because we want to champion their wants and needs. We are both strong supporters of servant leadership and as such, we will do whatever it takes to resolve any and all issues brought to us by our peers. We aim to increase accessibility to all things, improve students' abilities to have a balanced life and increase the affordability of attending MSU. We want to amplify your voices in all spaces we enter, we want to represent every student who attends this University and, most of all, we want to learn from each and every student who is willing to tell us what they need and are passionate about. In alignment with ASMSU’s mission, we want to serve our peers to the best of our abilities and enhance the student experience in any way possible.

LENNY TRIEM & FINN GROWNEY

Lenny Triem, Presidential Candidate 

Raised in Helena, Lenny studies microbiology and music with minors in data science and biochemistry. As an ASMSU Senator on the Finance and Legislative Boards, he has helped ensure responsible allocation of student fee dollars and worked through ASMSU’s lobbyist to advocate for students at the state legislature. He previously served as Hall Council President of Hannon-Quads and JMA, where he upgraded the Hannon Gym’s equipment and helped facilitate major events like QuadStock. Beyond student leadership, Lenny conducts undergraduate research and enjoys spending weekends hiking, running or playing the cello!

Finn Growney, Vice Presidential Candidate

Finn is from Colorado Springs, studying financial engineering and industrial engineering. As an ASMSU Senator, he aids funding requests on the Finance Board and is the student liaison to the Leadership Institute. As president of the Residence Hall Association (RHA), Finn leads initiatives to enhance the student experience for over 4,500 students living on campus. He serves on the programming committee for his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon, and volunteers as an Honors Ambassador for the Honors College. Off campus, Finn loves fishing, shredding the slopes at Bridger or listening to some classics at the Bozeman Symphony! 

LENNY & FINN'S QUESTIONNAIRE ANSWERS: 

What is the value of ASMSU to students?

ASMSU is the means through which student priorities can be turned into realities. For instance, the Dobbie Lambert turf field began as an idea within our student community. ASMSU internalized this idea and worked hard with University administration to make it happen.

ASMSU is more than just a student government: It’s a platform for leadership, a source of support and a catalyst for change. Through ASMSU, students don’t just attend MSU, they directly shape it  — and of course, who doesn’t love an exciting night at Rail Jam?

Where do you think ASMSU succeeds and where could it improve?

ASMSU excels in carrying forward the legacy built by those before us. Events like the Rail Jam have only grown thanks to the dedication and teamwork of ASMSU and our campus partners. Beyond events and outreach, ASMSU is a powerful advocate for students, ensuring that university financial decisions are carefully examined before being carried out.

ASMSU provides a wide range of valuable resources — from concerts, movies and comedy shows to reduced-cost legal and preschool services. However, many of these opportunities are underutilized simply because students aren’t aware they exist. ASMSU can and should do more to promote these services and make them more accessible to students.

What initiatives are you planning to focus on?

We believe in strengthening ASMSU’s relationships with partner organizations to better advocate for student interests. We’ll work with the Streamline Bus service to create a seasonal bus route to and from the airport during holiday breaks, alleviating significant costs and hassle for traveling students. We’ll also refine and modernize the club funding process to ensure that student organizations, club sports and Greek life can access financial resources without unnecessary hurdles.

Additionally, we’re focused on creating long-term solutions to the rising cost of living. Bozeman — despite its challenges — offers incredible opportunities, and we’re committed to ensuring affordability doesn’t stand in the way of student success. To achieve this, we’ll work directly with local government to champion housing policies that put students first, making living in Bozeman more attainable for all.

Why do you think students should vote for you?

We bring experience rooted in real results, whether it’s strengthening partnerships across campus, improving student spaces like the Hannon Gym or advocating for student priorities at the state legislature through ASMSU’s lobbyist. At the same time, we’re passionate about the future: making club funding more accessible, advocating for housing affordability and working with Streamline to ensure new routes most effectively serve students. Our first-hand experiences with RHA, club sports, undergraduate research and Greek life have shown us that difficult, meaningful work can provide incredible value to all MSU students. We strive to lead with personal humility and intense professional will, pushing for lasting change by working directly alongside students.

ASMSU’s General Elections will open on April 15 at 12 a.m. and close on April 16 at 6 p.m. Voting is online only. To cast your ballot, head to www.montana.edu/asmsu/programs/civic-engagement/elections.html and log in with your NetID and password.

Many students are also running for positions in the ASMSU Senate. To view a full list of all candidates running for a position within ASMSU, visit www.montana.edu/asmsu/programs/civic-engagement/asmsu-candidates.html.