Saturday, May 10, 2025



WSA Presidential and Vice-Presidential Candidates Debate Over Budgeting and Inclusion Initiatives

On Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 8 p.m., candidates in the upcoming Wesleyan Student Assembly (WSA) presidential and vice-presidential race for the 2025–2026 academic year came together for a debate in Exley Science Center’s Tishler Hall. Current Student Budget Committee (SBC) member Eric He ’28 is running against Student Life Committee (SLC) Chair Paul Quach ’26. Academic Affairs Committee member Judy Liu ’26 is running uncontested for vice president as Quach’s running mate.   

The event was moderated by Argus Editors-in-Chief Rose Chen ’26 and Sida Chu ’26. Candidates began with two-minute opening statements briefly outlining their motivations for running and their respective platforms. 

“During my time here, I met people from all around the country, from all around the world, everyone who has a different background, different city, and different religion,” He said in his opening statement. “I think that is something that we should cherish as Wesleyan students. I want to use this chance to become the president of WSA and to increase the budget.”

Quach followed He’s statement by reflecting on his past achievements during his time in the WSA and outlining four goals for his presidency.

“I’m running on four central commitments: consistent in delivering results, united in getting at least 1000 students to respond to the [SLC] student survey, transparent with club funding and our WSA endowment investments, and equitable in our focus on serving students targeted by the Trump administration,” Quach said. 

Liu’s statement expressed her support for increased funding and her love for the University’s offbeat community.

“I believe that I have the tools, the resources, and the administrative connections necessary and needed to help find ways in order to improve our funding,” Liu said. “We are weird, but we are fierce and passionate. I want to uphold those values.”

The new United States presidential administration’s attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) loomed large over the debate. He affirmed that despite Trump’s attacks on DEI, equity will still be considered in WSA decision-making. 

“One thing we can do to preserve [diversity and equity] during difficult times like the current presidential administration is to represent the school equitably through the budgeting process,” He said. 

Student questions also referenced recent Trump administration policies regarding diversity, free speech, and immigration. In response, Quach and Liu stated that they would work with President Michael Roth ’78 and the University administration to support students who are facing barriers to their education as a result of Trump’s recent visa cancellations. 

“We are actually in talks with the provost and with the deans on what academic plan we can institute for students who have been deported or whose visas are being revoked,” Liu said. “We want to give them the ability to graduate, to continue attending classes…. We need to support our students in a concrete manner, and by offering that financial and legal support, we can ensure that they have some sort of support system in place.”

The candidates also touched upon many other issues affecting University students. Topics included the budget, club funding, transparency, and accessibility of the WSA to the student body. Quach expressed gratitude for the ability to speak with fellow candidate He in his closing statement.

“I look forward to many more conversations about this campus we call home,” Quach said. 

Eric He stressed the importance of collaboration with Quach, the WSA, and the student body in his closing statement. 

“I feel like this is the process that we can navigate together,” He said. 

Additionally, Liu briefly mentioned prior candidate Isaac Ostrow ’26, who was unknowingly nominated for vice president and thus was later removed from the race. According to the WSA Chief of Staff Molly Connolly-Ungar ’25, the WSA was notified anonymously via email that Ostrow was unable to access his student account and wished to run in the election. A proxy was sent in his place for the candidate meeting. In a later communication, Ostrow explained that he was not responsible for these actions performed in his name. 

To prevent similar issues with false candidacies from occurring in the future, the WSA has begun conversations with the Office of Student Involvement.

“We’re currently reviewing our bylaws to ensure that only individuals who genuinely intend to run for office appear on the ballot,” Connolly-Ungar said.

Students can vote for WSA president and vice president through WesNest until Friday, April 11, 2025. Students in the Class of 2026 can also vote in the Senior Class Officer election via WesNest. 

Raiza Goel can be reached at rgoel@wesleyan.edu.

Anabel Goode can be reached at agoode@wesleyan.edu

Spencer Landers can be reached at sklanders@wesleyan.edu

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