With the elections swinging into full force, two women will battle it out for the spot as the next senior class president.
U students will become familiar with Rebecca Despain, People Incorporated Party, and Lissy Largin, Students First Party, as they emerge around the campus in hope of gaining more votes.
“I envision a campus community, in which everyone has a sense of ownership and belonging,” Despain said. “As senior class president, I will seek to incorporate every student, building a campus where ideas are exchanged, traditions thrive and differences are celebrated.”
Although the senior president is in charge of Homecoming Week and Commencement, Largin said her responsibility would go beyond these traditions.
“Though [Homecoming Week and Commencement] have their place at the U, I have found the senior students I interview to be far more interested in graduating, finding a job, getting into grad school or other post-graduate events,” Largin said.
Although they are running against each other, both candidates’ priority is increasing opportunities after college for seniors through the career services.
“Currently, about 4,500 of our 28,000 students are registered in the career services system. With increased awareness as to the valuable services offered, more students can better take advantage of the services available to them and have better employment opportunities,” Despain said.
Although the candidates both plan to work with career services, they have had different experiences working with the Associated Students of the University of Utah.
Currently, Largin is the assistant to Sara Hogan, the current senior class president. She considers her largest accomplishment when she started “Paint the Town Red.”
“I was able to work with university administrators, Mayor Rocky Anderson, the Downtown Alliance, Talitha Day [city events manager] and several businesses to coordinate the activity and bring the city, students and Ute pride together,” Largin said.
Despain has been a member of the ASUU assembly and senate for the College of Humanities.
She participated with several student groups.
“I am a true, die-hard Ute. I love the U because of the relationships that I’ve formed with other students. My involvement throughout the campus has provided me countless opportunities to build friendships and create lasting memories. I am now running to help other students do the same.”