The race for president of the Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks is beginning to become competitive, and both incumbent President Thom Walker who is running with vice-president hopeful, senator Abbie Stillie, and lone challenger Brandon Maitlen, with senator Allison Matter as a running mate, expect a close race. 

This spring, ASUAF petitions for election include six senators, four for the concert board, and two for the office of president. The Sun Star interviewed the two presidential candidates, both of whom graciously fielded some basic personal and campaign oriented questions. Starting with the challenger, here is your ASUAF presidential line-up for spring election 2004: Brandon Richard Maitlen was born June 10, 1983. He graduated from West Valley High School in 2001.

"I grew up here, got involved in high school, and this led to a love of Alaska and it's peoples," Maitlen said. 

According to Maitlen, he has attended UAF for three years, and will graduate in 2005 with a communications degree and a minor in management.  Maitlen said after graduating he wants to "stay in state, and get involved in the Alaskan community, in the field of public relations."

Maitlen said some of his strengths are  "the ability to have vision, a clear vision, of where our organization should go, networking, a good work ethic, a 3.2 cumulative GPA and a 3.5 for the last three semesters."  He also pointed out what he considers weaknesses: talking too much, impatience and a disposition towards fillibuster.

Maitlen believes he is qualified for this position because of his dedication to seeing services improve at the univeristy and previous leadership positions he has held in school organizations as well as in the work environment.

Maitlen was the public relations officer of the Associated Students of Business his sophomore year and is currently the president of the same organization.

"I raised $5,000 dollars for scholarships this year," he said, "I've been to the UAF leadership conferences. I've had management experience at Sears, I managed fourteen cashiers over the summer."

Upon becoming ASUAF president, Maitlen said he would quit as the president of the ASB, and not spend time as an officer somewhere else. And of course he has an opinion about ASUAF's current leadership.

"Thom Walker's heart is in the right place, and I have nothing but respect for people that volunteer their time," he said, but "Thom Walker's methodology and my methodology are very different as to how to solve problems."

Incumbent ASUAF president Thomas Michael Walker was born September 16, 1979.  He is from Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where he graduated from Apollo HighSchool. He has been at UAF for four and a half years. He has already fulfilled the requirements for a history degree, he will have a geography degree at the end of this year, and plans to graduate next year with a degree in environmental studies, as well.  After next year he plans on getting his teacher's certificate and a Masters in natural resource management.

Walker said some of his strengths are being being outspoken, friendly, polite, and strong willed. He said some of his weaknesses include being stubborn,
oversheduling himself, chocolate, and making travel destinations, which can be a weakness when your in school.

Walker said previous leadership experience and involvement with ASUAF are qualifications to earn a second term as president.

"I have the experience of doing it for a year.  Also I've had the experience of working with ASUAF for a number of years," he said, "I understand how the organization works, I understand it's structure, and I'm able to use this knowledge to make things happen."

Walker is also the speaker for the Coalition of Student Leaders, the statewide organization for all student governments and works with other individuals affiliated with the university.

"I've put in the time to get to know the faculty and staff at UAF, as well as other universities," he said, "To win real victories, you have to have the faculty, staff and administrators being able to work with you."
Walker said he thinks he does alot to counter student apathy and is responsible for the increased advertising of ASUAF over the last few years. He obtained the ASUAF banners that are present at the student government sponsored events, T-shirts, sweatshirts and megaphones that all display the ASUAF logo. He was also the champion of the getting the hot chocolate machine in the ASUAF offices, which costs about $6,000 a year to run.

When asked what he thought of his opponent, Walker complimented his past service and willingness to help.

"Brandon has been an outstanding representative for the food advisory board for the last two years, he's served dilligently on that and has reported to the senate on their findings, and has made an effort to be involved," he said, "He makes a good candidate for the position, but I don't understand the issues he's running on, how that is different from what I am currently doing,"

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