Watch the full debate here
Moderators conclude the event
April 16, 11:41 a.m.
Carly and Archana close out the event, drawing snaps and applause from the audience. Some attendees rise to their feet as the program comes to an end.
— Ashley Strain, Mustang News reporter
Schinderle’s closing argument discusses affordability, student voices and emphasizes his dedication to Cal Poly
April 16, 11:41 a.m.
Schinderle discusses his platform vision.
“I think you’ve heard from both of us what our platforms envisioned are. I’m focused on affordability, resources, community, and action,” Schinderle said. “Making sure that we’re focused on the students who are here today, your needs, what you want changed on this campus and listening to those and acting on them.”
Schinderle explains that he loves Cal Poly, and the people make the university so special. He highlights his understanding, institutional knowledge, dedication and passion as among his qualities that would make him a great president.
— Dylan White, Mustang News reporter
Shick’s closing argument discusses affordability and club freedom
April 16, 11:40 a.m.
Shick discusses his main campaign goals.
“You have been able to see two different platforms. And while mine mostly focused on finances and club freedom, it is important to just relate any student need,” Shick said. “And so as an elected ASI president, my job is going to be to pivot and to learn what the students are needing. as quick as possible.”
Shick talks about his dad and his role in motivating his Cal Poly attendance. He talks about how he needed to save money to attend the university.
— Dylan White, Mustang News reporter
Shick’s closing remarks
April 16, 11:40 a.m.
Shick delivers his closing remarks, drawing light applause from across the crowd as the event nears its conclusion.
— Ashley Strain, Mustang News reporter
Schinderle’s receives large amounts of applause
April 16, 11:38 a.m.
Schinderle’s closing remarks draw the largest response of the event and lean on his ASI experience, his strong commitment to students and his deep connection and love for Cal Poly. He emphasizes accessibility and support for all students through his campaign. The crowd erupts into its loudest cheers yet.
— Ashley Strain, Mustang News reporter
Students support Schinderle’s DEI remarks
April 16, 11:36 a.m.
Schinderle remarks on DEI and inclusion draw a loud response from the crowd, with strong reactions heard across the event.
— Ashley Strain, Mustang News reporter
Schinderle shares position on student voice
April 16, 11:34 a.m.
“I want to go directly into our clubs and organizations. And as I previously mentioned, I want to bring other campus leaders into this conversation,” Schinderle said. “ASI is the official voice of Cal Poly students, but we’re not the only voices on this campus who can and should be experienced sharing their Cal Poly experience”
— Dylan White, Mustang News reporter
Students express their support for Schinderle
April 16, 11:32 a.m.
Loud cheers erupt again for Schinderle following another rebuttal, with strong support from the crowd.
— Ashley Strain, Mustang News reporter
Shick discusses campus clubs
April 16, 11:32 a.m.
“For one, there’s over 300 clubs and organizations. It’s not possible to go to one meeting even once a week or twice a week. It’s not possible to really understand that,” Shick said. “I mean, in any fashionable regard, that clubs need to put on their events and put on the fun events that kids enjoy.”
— Dylan White, Mustang News reporter
Audience members begin to trickle out
April 16, 11:28 a.m.
Some audience members begin to leave, leaving roughly half of the front row empty as the debate continues.
— Ashley Strain, Mustang News reporter
Schinderle explains the ASI President’s duties in rebuttal to Shick
April 16, 11:26 a.m.
“It’s important to know what the ASI president can and cannot do unilaterally, which includes elimination of student fees. It is not possible to unilaterally eliminate any fees, including the ASI fee,” Schinderle said. “Most fees on this campus actually have previously been approved by students, students vote to approve these fees, and I’m grateful that one person alone doesn’t have the ability to change the fees that we pay.”
— Dylan White, Mustang News reporter
Schinderle highlights student voices
April 16, 11:24 a.m.
Schinderle emphasizes that student voices will be central to decision-making. Whistles and applause ripple through the crowd, with smiles spreading as attendees respond positively.
— Ashley Strain, Mustang News reporter
Shick emphasizes the importance of students
April 16, 11:23 a.m.
“The primary goal when going to different meetings, going to just try to negotiate on behalf of the students, the students are the primary focus for the ASI president,” Shick said. “And so that’s my goal. So no matter what happens, I will learn how to just change and hey, this is what the students are wanting. And I’m going to be honest and have integrity and stick up for the students.”
— Dylan White, Mustang News reporter
Schinderle proposes a solution for off-campus housing
April 16, 11:21 a.m.
Schinderle proposes a property rental rating system aimed at improving off-campus housing and lowering costs for students, which draws interest. The crowd appears engaged and enthusiastic as Schinderle introduces the idea.
—Ashley Strain, Mustang News reporter
Schinderle plans to focus on student needs
April 16, 11:16 a.m.
“So I want to start with a pilot program of our airport shuttle, which would start over Thanksgiving and winter break, allowing students to reserve spots online through Cal Poly Now and be able to have a known form of transportation to the airport so that for all of our out-of-state students, they’re able to get to the airport,” Schinderle said.
— Dylan White, Mustang News reporter
Shick plans to focus on affordability
April 16, 11:15 a.m.
“I think a lot of students have to pay their way through college or are taking loans to be here,” Shick said. “Cal Poly is an awesome school. I’ve always wanted to come here. And affordability is a big factor in that. I think that goes for every student.”
— Dylan White, Mustang News reporter
The debate attracts student attention
April 16, 11:14 a.m.
Crowd members gather at the back, pooling behind the rows of chairs set up earlier. Students continue to pass through the UU during the passing period, slowing to watch as the space fills and attention turns toward the candidates.
— Ashley Strain, Mustang News reporter
Technical difficulties arise
April 15, 11:10 a.m.
A sudden microphone screech offers a moment of comic relief, easing the tension for the candidates and attendees.
— Ashley Strain, Mustang News reporter
Shick’s opening statement addresses his main positions
April 16, 11:05 a.m.
Shick says that while some students might see his lack of experience in ASI as a disadvantage, he still understands student needs. Shick’s four main positions are “cutting red tape” for club events, cutting redundant costs for students like PolyCards, opening a responsive student platform for students on the Cal Poly portal and encouraging campus unity through free events and spirit weeks.
— Sam Fickett, ASI beat reporter
Spectators gather to watch the debate
April 16, 11:03 a.m.
The crowd floods into the seating area, filling the space with a surge of energy and anticipation. Supporters and spectators alike push forward, eager to catch a glimpse of the candidates as they make their entrance. Cheers erupted, growing louder as both candidates are introduced.
— Ashley Strain, Mustang News reporter
Debate has begun
April 16, 11:02 a.m.
— Lloyd Esola, Mustang News photographer
Follow along as Mustang News posts live updates
April 16, 10:30 a.m.
Mustang News will be live-blogging the ASI Presidential Candidate Debate from 10:30 a.m. to noon. If you can’t tune in to our broadcast on MNTV and our Instagram for updates, this blog will be updated consistently for the duration of the debate.
Our candidates for this year are:
- Tanner Schinderle, a political science junior
- Caleb Shick, a business administration junior
Voting for the ASI elections opens next Tuesday, April 21, at 8 a.m., and closes Thursday, April 23, at 8 a.m. Anyone currently enrolled as a Cal Poly student can vote through the Cal Poly portal.
— Sam Fickett, ASI beat reporter
Two Mustang Media Group leaders will steer the Schinderle-Shick debate
April 16, 10:15 a.m.
In the past, Mustang News and ASI each had a representative moderating the debate. This year, Archana Pisupati, Mustang Media Group Editor-in-Chief and Carly Heltzel, News Editor for Mustang News are moderating the debate and worked alongside ASI and shared audiences for question development and debate planning.
Editor’s note: Mustang News is endorsing a candidate for the election this year. To uphold journalistic independence and avoid any potential conflicts of interest, Pisupati and Heltzel have recused themselves from viewing and editing the endorsement prior to publication. Additionally, members of the editorial board are not involved in editing or reviewing any news coverage related to the election.