University Star

A third candidate has entered the ASG presidential race, filing paperwork the day of the deadline.

Brice Loving, marketing junior, joined Chris Covo and Trenton Thomas in the race for student body president. However, unlike his opponents, Loving does not have a running mate.

Loving was sworn into the ASG senate by current president Brett Baker in February. His campaign strategy is to enter as a surprise candidate.

“Being within the McCoy College of Business Admistration gives the real life experience of working in teams and I have had experience leading groups in a positive direction,” Loving said.

Loving’s campaign platform focuses on furthering the university and greek-life marketing efforts. He also wants a change to the current GPA scale.

“The idea is to start changing the GPA scale to a plus or minus scale,” Loving said. “The University of Texas is pushing to this system in the fall. If our academics are comparable to these schools that are using this, then we should follow with those changes.”

Loving said he has researched his opponents’ platforms, saying, while they have good points, the success of their proposals need a large-scale marketing effort.

He said his marketing strategy involves the promotion of student participation in university activities and improving the image of greek life.

Loving is not the only candidate whose platform focuses on greek life and student involvement.

Covo, whose campaign focuses on promoting student participation on campus, said “a successful greek system is vital to a successful university.” Covo and running mate Tommy Luna, student body vice presidential candidate, propose a three-prong platform: revamping recruitment, improving alumni relations and student appreciation, the latter of which Covo said is most important.

“If the student government is running effectively, like it is actually supposed to, then we will be able to affect student participation as a whole,” Covo said. “If the next administration does not understand that then it will be the same organization it has been. I can promise — it is the only time I have ever promised anything — but we will work very hard to make sure the senate will work like it is designed to.”

Thomas, who is running with Edwin Maldonado, vice presidential candidate, agreed student enthusiasm and ASG senate involvement in campus efforts is critical. The Thomas / Maldonado ticket, if elected, plans to hold grievance sessions with students.

“Sometimes, it gets to be all talk with the ASG administrations,” Thomas said. “Maldonado and I will have an open door policy. We are going to actually use our senators and our executive board to talk to student organizations. We want open forums so students can come in and see what their student government is doing.”

The Thomas / Maldonado ticket’s four-tier platform argues success for Texas State’s Football Bowl Subdivision drive depends on “getting all of San Marcos to support and back” the university’s initiatives.

“If you look around in Wal-Mart or HEB, you see more Aggie and Longhorn things than you do the Bobcats’,” Thomas said. “We plan to get people more enthused about the (FBS) move, a lot of people look at is as just a sports issue, but FBS can help us through scholarships and through alumni giving.”

Poor fan turnout to football games is an issue university officials are trying to remedy in order for Texas State to move to FBS status. The

Covo / Luna ticket said, if elected, they will create an athletic liaison, which would meet with department directors and student athletes promoting the Bobcats.

The Covo / Luna and Thomas / Maldonado campaigns emphasize the need for strong relations with the San Marcos community. Thomas said his administration would reach out to local residents through student participation. Covo said he and Luna plan to launch a Know Your Rights campaign to educate students about laws, officer discretion and city ordinances.

All five candidates will discuss issues at the ASG Presidential and Vice Presidential Debate at 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday hosted by The University Star.

To learn more about the candidates, visit UniversityStar.com for one-on-one interviews and complete campaign platforms.