Six Questions for Adam Cronis

By Charlotte Hsu

Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008 | 2 a.m.

UNLV Student Body President Adam Cronis, who took office in May, hopes to restore students’ confidence in elected officials. For example, the 22-year-old political science major is pushing to reduce compensation for student leaders and use some of the savings to create scholarships.

Why did you run for student office?

The potential for positive change. The ability to influence how things affect the students and give students an effective voice.

What changes are you and the student senate trying to make to your compensation?

The old standard for my position and the vice president and senate president’s was that we had our student fees paid for, up to 42 credits per year. We’re working to lower the standard to 24 credits a year. That would save quite a bit of money.

You supported student senate efforts to limit use of the student body president’s RebelCard, which allows you to spend student government money on campus. Can you explain?

The card has a good purpose. If you have speakers or other guests, you have the ability to take them to lunch, get them a sweatshirt or other gift. The card had a $500 limit that could be replenished at will, and it was replenished at least four or five times a year. The limit now is $250 a semester.

What do you think of the governor’s handling of the budget cuts?

The governor didn’t ask for this budget. That said, our university system generates graduates with the ability to think critically, which is important. Nevada has a shortage of nurses. The health care system leaves much to be desired. I disagree with the level of cuts the governor is demanding.

What would you suggest, then?

I would like to see more creative ways of dealing with the problem, including discussing a broad-based business tax.

Besides budget cuts, what do you think are UNLV’s biggest problems?

It’s a challenge to maintain our identity as we age. When we compare ourselves to other universities, we need to look at Las Vegas through the prism of a 24-hour town. This is a very diverse place, perhaps one of the most diverse in the country. I would say the vast majority of students have to work to support their education. Keeping all those things in mind as we continue to mold our identity in the next half-century is going to be critical.