Service, Kyle Carlton said, is a centerpiece of his campaign for student body president.
In the student senate, Carlton helped formulate the Texas Aggies Building Spirit (TABS) proposal, a fall program based on service projects. Carlton said the eventual implementation of TABS is one of his top priorities. Students would be involved in designing and building projects across the state in partnership with Habit for Humanity, and the leftover wood from the buildings could be used to make a scrap fire, he said.
“It’s about coming together to make a difference, and building bonds through service,” said Carlton, a junior finance major. “We can take a horrible tragedy and turn it into something positive.”
Texas A&M President Robert M. Gates has said Bonfire would remain on hiatus until litigation is resolved.
Carlton said he would oppose efforts by Unity Project to hold an off-campus bonfire this fall.
“(An off-campus bonfire) only serves to divide the Aggie family,” he said.
The camaraderie and unity inspired by the TABS service project would also create a more welcoming and diverse environment on campus, Carlton said. Although he opposes using race as a factor in admissions or financial aid, Carlton said he supports efforts to target more private scholarship money to minorities and working with black and Hispanic student groups to recruit more minority students.
Carlton said he would encourage involvement in campus activities by publishing a weekly calendar of events. Students are often unaware of the events and functions put on by student groups, leaving many events underattended, Carlton said.
“(An events calendar) would enable Aggies to support other Aggies,” Carlton said.
Carlton said he supported the student fee increases that were voted down by students in the fee referendum in February. If students had known more about what the fee hikes would be spent on, they would have voted for the increases, Carlton said.
Carlton said he is open to supporting some forms of tuition deregulation, but would oppose giving the A&M University System Board of Regents unrestricted authority to set tuition rates.
Student government is most effective when it works closely with University administration Carlton said.
“Regents and administrators will listen to students if you present a good case,” Carlton said.