Engagement and Affordability Take Center Stage in ASG Debate

(left to right) Johnathan Amidi, Mateo Coulson, Addison Warhank, Bella Rene and Laura Da Costa Locatelli sit together at a table during the ASG Debate Night in Charney 104. (Elaine Zhang/The Santa Clara)

Candidates for Santa Clara University’s Associated Student Government executive positions debated how to rebuild student engagement, improve campus life and strengthen ASG’s internal culture during a debate held Tuesday evening.

The presidential and vice presidential tickets, Laura Da Costa Locatelli ’27 and Bella Rene ’27, and Mateo Coulson ’28 and Johnathan Amidi ’27, both centered their campaigns on making ASG more visible and responsive to students. The debate also featured Addison Warhank ’28, who is running for Senate chair.

A major theme of the night was ASG’s struggle to connect with students outside the organization.

“We all know that ASG is in a crisis,” Amidi said, pointing to low interest in student government positions and limited engagement from the broader student body. He said he and Coulson plan to reach out to every campus group, including RSOs, CSOs and Greek life leadership.

Coulson discussed specificities of their campaign such as how they will focus on social life, community and student well-being. Their platform includes increasing support for clubs, extending library hours during finals, bringing more guest speakers to campus and improving visibility for student organizations and athletic events.

Da Costa Locatelli and Rene also emphasized outreach during the debate, but focused more on affordability and collaboration. Their goal is to hold frequent tabling hours as president and vice president, as well as work with ASG public relations on member spotlights, using campus networks to bring more students into conversation with ASG.

“We want to be seen as people anyone can come up to,” Rene said. “If people ask us to do something, we will do it.”

Da Costa Locatelli said their campaign plans to make ASG feel like a place where students can actually make change.

“If they’re shown that ASG is a place to carry out projects and make palpable change, they will be more interested and inclined to be a part of it,” Da Costa Locatelli said.

Affordability was also a topic of conversation throughout the debate. Da Costa Locatelli and Rene pointed to a proposed textbook exchange program and stronger promotion of basic needs resources, including the Bronco Food Pantry and Bucky’s Closet. Da Costa Locatelli also mentioned she would consider asking the University Budget Council for more funding for programs that support students taking unpaid internships.

Coulson mentioned he would prioritize increased funding for RSOs if elected. He referenced past efforts to raise club funding and said student organizations are central to campus life.

The candidates also addressed how they would handle conflict within ASG. Amidi said ASG needs more constructive disagreement, but added that bullying, gossip and bigotry should be handled firmly. Rene replied by mentioning that strong relationships within the cabinet would be key to preventing conflict from becoming harmful.

The debate also highlighted differences between the two tickets. Da Costa Locatelli and Rene questioned whether guest speakers and athletic events would be priorities for all students, especially marginalized students. Coulson and Amidi pushed back by saying their outreach would extend to every club and affinity group.

When asked about flaws in the other ticket’s campaign, Da Costa Locatelli said Coulson and Amidi’s platform may be difficult to fully accomplish because of how many initiatives they proposed. Amidi said Da Costa Locatelli and Rene’s campaign lacked a clear plan for some quality-of-life improvements, including the textbook exchange.

Warhank, the Senate chair candidate, stated that she wants senators to feel comfortable speaking up and believes ASG should focus on meaningful legislation rather than passing measures just to increase numbers.

“Quality over quantity,” Warhank said.

Voting will remain open through the student portal until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, with results expected to be shared with students Thursday morning.