Election buzz is fluttering through the Sonoma State University campus.

Not only is the national presidential nomination up for grabs, but Sonoma State is also set to elect a new student government president for the upcoming 2016-2017 year.

Junior political science major and current Associated Students Vice President Kate Chavez is running against sophomore philosophy major Emily Hinton.

After each candidate presented their respective platforms to the STAR staff on March 22, it was apparent that both candidates are highly qualified for the position. But in a closely divided vote, we give our support to Hinton whom we believe offers a more cohesive plan for her role as AS president.

Although Chavez’s decorated résumé paired with her experience as the AS vice president would make a great representative for the students of Sonoma State, Hinton’s fresh face and new outlook is what this university needs.

Although she is only a sophomore, Hinton has immersed herself in a wide range of activities across the Sonoma State campus. 

She currently serves as village council president for the upper-class dorm rooms and is involved in both the science and gaming clubs on campus. Being so involved has helped Hinton gauge the needs of a diverse range of students all across campus.

Hinton is also a representative of the Fee Advisory Committee, the Student Center Board of Advisory Committee and the Academic Freedom Subcommittee. She developed a passion for student government in her involvement with these many committees and her devotion to student government grew when she became the “voice of the low income student.” She wants her voice to be heard now as the AS president.

“I want our school to be treated more as an institution of academia rather than a business administration,” said Hinton. “The administration’s priority is not in the student’s best interest at this time, and I would like to change that.”

This sentiment echoed through the classroom when Hinton spoke.

Hinton said that her main goal she if elected AS president is to make matters more transparent between the student body and administration; especially where student money is being spent.

Hinton, a self-described, first-generation, low-income student, would like there to be an explanation for every dollar a student spends at Sonoma State, believing that upgrading technology to better explain where fees are going will satisfy the students’ constant wonder of what they are paying for. 

Hinton believes she can avoid situations that cause outbursts among the students, like the unveiling of the costly and infamous “Lobovision” did, by enhancing communication between the administration and the student body.

“I want to know where my fees are going and where my money is being spent,” said Hinton. “Money needs to be spent on upgrading classrooms and technology instead of how our campus looks.”

Junior Political Science major Kate Chavez has the dynamic track record to become an enticing AS president. Chavez, the current AS vice president and president of sorority Alpha Xi Delta, has served as a member of Sonoma State’s Lobby Core and was a co-writer for the Dream Center resolution.

Chavez said she would like to see students feel proud to be a student of Sonoma State with an increase in school spirit around campus. 

Unfortunately, we have yet to hear how school spirit will be boosted by either candidate. Both candidates only say they plan to reach out to students on how to accomplish such a feat. 

Chavez would like see an increase in the four-year graduation rate while in office, believing that enhancing the advising system would speed up the process of graduation.

We believe both candidates would do sufficient job representing Sonoma State as AS president.However, Hinton shows the passion and will to best represent the students aspirations at Sonoma State. 

Voting for all AS positions is scheduled to start April 4 and close on April 6.