Yesterday the first candidate forum meeting for the upcoming ASUW elections took place at the Ethnic Cultural Center Theatre.

The candidates sat on the stage in a panel format and each gave a two-minute opening statement. After their opening statements, the candidates were asked questions from the ASUW Election Administrative Committee and the audience.

In his opening statements, ASUW presidential candidate Chris Paredes emphasized the need to "inspire students to come together." He has been involved in ASUW for four years and is the director of the La Raza Student Commission, a Chicano/Latino student group.

"I want to empower students and have ASUW live up to their responsibilities," Paredes said.

ASUW presidential candidate Tyler Dockins, who has served as Legislative Coordinator for the ASUW, told the audience that there are "definitely major changes that need to happen."

Specifically, Dockins said he would like to see changes in campus safety. Dockins also said he hopes to acquire more state money for the UW, a day care center for students with children and the Alumni Association's RSO grant to be reinstated.

Vice-presidential candidate Sam Al-Khoury is the current ASUW Director of Community Relations. He hopes to reinstate the governance committee and use the contacts he has made while in his current position to better coordinate with ASUW volunteers.

Tyson Johnston current Director of Diversity Efforts is running for re-election and believes students should feel secure.

"Every student deserves to feel welcome and safe – we don't have that," he said.

David Kim, candidate for the Faculty Council for Multicultural Affairs, said he wants to "advocate input from the student advisory board."

Elizabeth Campbell, who is running to be on the Board of Directors and a current member of the ASUW Landscaping Committee, said she has "noticed a lot of problems" while at UW.

She said her experience as an advocate for citizens in her community has given her insight as to how to best represent UW students. She also said she wants greater accountability for the UW administration, an off-campus emergency plan, and more academic freedom for students.

Adriana Hilliard is running for the position Director of Programming.

"I've been a Husky all my life, and I've been a student since the autumn of 2004," Hillard said.

She stressed her desire, if elected, to make sure RSOs know "where to find the funding."

During the question and answer portion of the forum, both presidential candidates stressed the importance of improving campus safety citing both the Rebecca Griego tragedy and the snow storms during Winter Quarter as instances in which students could have had a greater awareness of situations through increased communication between faculty and students.

Reach contributing writer Garrett Troy at news@thedaily.washington.edu.