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Two juniors are competing to lead the Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) this election cycle, each offering a four-point plan aimed at reshaping campus life. With campaigning kicking off Saturday evening and a public debate scheduled next Thursday, students face concrete choices about fees, events and day-to-day services that affect thousands on campus.
Caleb Shick: reduce costs, loosen rules
Caleb Shick, a transfer student studying real estate finance, centers his campaign on expanding student control and trimming campus expenses. He says the goal is to remove bureaucracy that slows student groups while easing the financial strain many undergraduates report.
Club freedom. Shick wants to shorten approval timelines for student events and relax payment restrictions that make fundraising cumbersome. He argues simpler rules will let organizations run activities without repeated rejections of Event Plans.
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Lowering student charges. He proposes cutting what he calls redundant fees — pointing to recurring PolyCard charges as an example — and pushing for full carryover of unused meal-plan balances instead of the current capped rollover. He also wants optional campus health fees for students covered by private insurance.
Responsive complaints system. A central digital portal is central to his platform: students could submit problems directly through the university site and expect regular reviews by the ASI executive team, Shick says.
Building campus spirit. To bridge academic divisions, he plans more traditional campus events, weekly “spirit nights” and complimentary concessions at athletic contests to draw broader attendance.
Shick frames his role as an advocate: when students raise concerns, he says, elected leaders must present those priorities plainly to administrators rather than smoothing over disagreements to avoid friction.
Tanner Schinderle: expand services, keep students central
Tanner Schinderle serves now as ASI Chief of Staff and previously acted as the cabinet’s secretary. His candidacy leans on institutional experience, including work on the ASI Grocery Shuttle, which he points to as evidence of practical results.
Affordability. Schinderle emphasizes making food and commuter parking more affordable. He notes the grocery shuttle’s reach — thousands of rides last quarter — and says the program demonstrably improved access to cheaper groceries for many students.
More campus resources. He wants to expand late-night, 24/7 study space beyond the current library floors and broaden shuttle services to include weekend beach trips and airport runs around academic breaks.
Strengthening community. A priority is helping clubs adjust to the semester calendar and supporting larger campus gatherings — from concerts to food-centered events — designed to foster connections.
Action plus advocacy. Schinderle plans to bring club, athletic and student leaders directly into decision-making with administrators, treating budgeting responsibilities and advocacy as intertwined so student fees translate into tangible programming.
- Key differences at a glance:
- Shick — Focuses on cutting red tape, fee reform and a centralized reporting portal for student issues.
- Schinderle — Emphasizes expanding services (shuttles, study spaces), and deepening student involvement in administrative decisions.
Both candidates frame their platforms around four priorities, but they approach the same problems—cost, connectivity, campus services and student voice—from different angles. The stakes are tangible: changes to fee structures, event policies and transportation will affect everyday life for roughly 23,000 students.
Important dates: active campaigning starts Saturday at 5 p.m.; the ASI Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, April 16 at 11 a.m. in the University Union Plaza. Voting opens April 21 at 8 a.m. and closes April 23 at 8 a.m., with winners announced at noon on April 23.
