Andrew Norton and Hope Montoya have begun their terms as president and vice president of the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico (ASUNM). Both are sophomores, marking a rare occurrence in recent ASUNM history.
Norton started meeting with student organizations and community leaders before his election. “When I was talking to people, it wasn’t the political empty promise spiel that is always given,” Norton said.
He emphasized that he had already been working on realistic initiatives. “I was talking about initiatives that are attainable,” Norton said. “Even if they’re not possible, there’s a form of it that is possible at the end of the day.”
Norton also met with legislators to explore collaboration opportunities. “I want next year to be the busiest year because that means in turn success. When we’re busy, we’re working, we’re collaborating, we’re doing everything we need to,” he said.
Vice President Hope Montoya, who has served in the senate for nearly three years and ran unopposed, used her campaign to learn from student governments at other colleges. She aims to create legislation with a broader impact beyond UNM. “I feel like our student senate and our state government can start building those relationships to have a greater effect on the UNM student body as a whole, and not just solely our government,” Montoya said.
Montoya expects this effort will take time but hopes to see progress by the next legislative session. “I think getting our senators more involved in what is truly affecting the campus and showing that we are doing more than just focusing on ASUNM. We are actively trying to tackle these student body issues,” she said.
The new leadership team has also discussed with Albuquerque’s mayor’s office ways to support students living off campus. According to Norton: “Establishing programs and working with them to expose those programs to the student body so they have the ability to get housing if they can’t afford it on campus.”
Both leaders plan not only for their current term but for future administrations by building relationships with city and state officials. Norton stated: “I think having those relationships where we are able to have those conversations with city and state leaders and start developing that so then the next administration has those connections… That’s how we can make ASUNM stronger and be better for the student body.”
Their status as sophomores may influence their approach during their tenure. “We’ve been doing this for a while, but we’re not at the point where this is our final hurrah and then we’re gone. We still have to live here with whatever action we take,” Norton said. “I’ve noticed it changes how people talk to us. We hope to create a less intimidating atmosphere where any member of the student body can come to us.”
