Editor’s Note: This is the fourth in a four-part series profiling the Student Government candidates. The articles will be printed in order according to presidential candidate’s last name.
 
Twin brothers Joshua and Joseph Hollins of the “R.E.A.L. Campaign” hope to bring “Relevant, Experienced, Accessible Leadership” to the University if elected as Student Government president and vice president.
Communications studies junior Joshua is the SG director of external affairs and previously served on the University Court.
General business junior Joseph, who has never been affiliated with SG, draws his experience from membership of multiple campus committees, including the Vice Chancellor’s Advisory Board for Student Life & Enrollment.
“He asked me to [run] because of my experience in areas that he didn’t have,” Joseph said. “We felt as a team we could really represent the campus.”
The brothers, who graduated from Baton Rouge Magnet High School, both work at the state Capitol and said relationships they formed there could help to battle budget cuts if elected.
Joshua is an intern at the Louisiana House of Representatives and Joseph is an aide for the Senate.
 
“If I see a bill that could potentially get LSU money, I would go to the chancellor,” Joseph said.
He said he has notified the chancellor of potential bills before.
 
“In the past, I have been progressive in looking at ways combatting the budget cuts,” Joseph said, though he did not specify further.
The R.E.A.L. Campaign is endorsed by state Rep. Patricia Smith and state Sen. Yvonne Dorsey, according to the twins.
“They know we have a passion for our students,” Joshua said. “We will go and fight hard that they hear the student voices.”
Joshua said budget cuts are inevitable at this point, but his priority is students’ education.
“When we have to crunch the numbers and unfortunately … programs have to be cut, our main goal is that our students be properly served and get that education,” Joshua said. “In the same breath, we have to make sure our institution maintains the prestige as a top-tier institution.”
The brothers would like to bring back minority recruitment by collecting funds from alumni.
If elected, the twins plan to continue current SG president Cody Wells’ Budget Crisis Taskforce, which includes Joshua as a member.
“Legislators don’t really know what you feel if you’re not there,” Joseph said. “You got to sell to the legislators the future of LSU.”
The candidates said they would talk to students more than current SG president Cody Wells and vice president Kathleen Bordelon do.
“We can take one more step up … in being more accessible to the students,” Joshua said.
Joseph said he and his brother could bring the University together better than the “Together LSU” ticket has.
“Cody and Kathleen did a pretty good job … but I feel like it can be better,” he said. “LSU can be more together.”
The twins said they promise to speak with students at all times, not just during campaign season.
“We’re really telling the organizations, if elected, this is not the last time you will see us,” Joseph said.
Some steps the brothers would like to take include creating better housing for international students, implementing a first ticket forgiveness policy for illegally parked cars on campus and lowering the prices of concessions for students with Tiger Cards.
 
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Contact Danielle Kelley at [email protected]