ASWSU 2021 Elections: Regian and Christopher

Amid a pandemic, Bryce Regian believes WSU students need an ASWSU that is experienced and qualified in order to create a bridge between students and university administration.   

Regian, junior political science major and ASWSU deputy director of legislative affairs, is running for ASWSU president along with his running mate Jelani Christopher. They met while working in ASWSU and soon became good friends.

“For me, it was a no brainer,” Regian said. “[Christopher] was the first and only person I asked to be my running mate.” 

Regian said he originally attended Clark College and served as the president of the Associated Students. He is a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and Phi Alpha Delta at WSU. He previously served in the ASWSU Senate.

Christopher, junior political science major, said he came to Pullman from California and is a member of Alpha Sigma Phi. He is currently the treasurer for the WSU Issues and Forums Committee and is an ASWSU Senator. 

Christopher said he wanted to run for office because he is passionate about student government and feels it is a great way to be involved with one’s university. His favorite part of student government is being a voice for students and advocating for them. 

“It’s been just a way for me to make sure that I am able to do the thing that I’m most passionate about,” Christopher said, “which is advocacy for people who maybe, they don’t want to do this line of work, but they do need someone who’s going to listen, and they need someone who’s going to be speak on their behalf sometimes.”

Regian was not planning on running for anything but a position on the ASWSU Senate. However, after becoming more involved on campus, Regian said he fell in love with WSU and the students. 

Regian said their campaign focuses on university accountability, college affordability and accessibility, mental health and COVID-19 recovery.

Because student government is the closest students have to a direct line to administration, Christopher said they want to hold the university accountable when administration makes decisions for students.

When the university canceled spring break, students were not a part of that conversation. Christopher said they want to make sure students will be a part of those important conversations. 

Another area the two want to focus on is fee transparency or elimination. Christopher said there are a number of fees, such as graduation, late fees and reinstatement fees, that students do not know where the money is going. 

“We just want students to either have an idea of where those fees are going or for the university to get rid of them,” he said. “Right now, students feel like that is not the best system and that they’re being taken advantage of.” 

Regian said he thinks a virtual format for the election debates will make it easier for students to attend. His main concern is making sure proper closed captions are available and that students are actually aware of the debate. 

“Debates are important,” he said. “You can get a lot of questions answered without having to meet with candidates individually. That’s one of the great benefits about public debates.” 

Regian said students should vote for him and Christopher because they make themselves accessible and want to have an open door policy where students can talk to them at any time. 

They have plans to help the student body and will do the work needed to succeed, he said. Regian and Christopher love WSU and want to make it a better place for students. 

“You step on campus and you feel like you’re at home, and that’s what it felt like for me,” Regian said.

Students can attend the debates via Zoom through a link emailed to students. The first debate, focusing on WSU multicultural organizations, is scheduled for 6 p.m. today. The second debate, focusing on both presidential and vice presidential campaigns, is scheduled for 6 p.m. March 25.