PAUL CASEY
Staff Writer
Freshmen presidential candidates debated in the Ampitheatre on Tuesday as part of the final build-up to this semester’s SGA elections, taking place through Friday at 8 a.m. when the online polls close. SGA President Andy Canales is urging all students to make a visit to the polls.
“It’s harder to get upperclassmen to vote because the competition isn’t as high,” Canales said. “More competition means more hype and the more knowledgeable the students become.”
Freshman Chris Tolan, a Housing Senator candidate, came up with the initial idea for the debate as a means of campaigning for a few of the candidates. It quickly transformed into an official SGA event, which Vice President of Administration Austin Maness helped put together the event.
“It was great to get them all together and compare,” Tolan said. “It was not a political device but a way to inform students.”
Around 100 students showed up to hear from the five candidates to learn more about their ideas and plans for the position. Candidates Louis Boney, Michael Evans, Jeff Hou, Kelly McMahon and Zarmala Mahmood all took to the mic to persuade students to vote for them.
“I think it was a great opportunity to express our platforms,” McMahon said.
In their speeches the candidates listed their many goals; from installing wireless internet in the dorms, to providing “Spirit Buses” to transport students to away sporting events.
“They brought a lot of energy,” Maness said. “They all have very different styles but each one would make a great leader.”
The event not only served as a forum for the candidates; it also helped boost awareness for the Fall elections. Online voting officially began Wednesday at 8 am, just over 11 hours after the conclusion of the debate. As of 2 p.m. Wednesday 200 students had already logged on and voted.
The debate also proved important due to the fact that many expect the Freshman Presidential race to be the most highly competitive of the class contests for president. Senior Anthony Kennada is running uncontested for the Senior Class President position. That position was left vacant after the former president, senior Christine Rosenblatt, resigned.
During his question session Canales once again reiterate the importance of the elections and encourage all students to get involved.
“The class and living area representatives will be bringing everyone’s concerns to the Senate,” Canales said. “They represent students’ questions to the administration, so you want quality representatives.”
Canales plans on sending out an e-mail to the entire student body today with the link to the voting website as one last measure to ensure a larger voter turnout than past elections.
Last Fall saw around 500 voters; much less than the 900 that took part and voted during last year’s Spring elections.
Canales said he is pleased with the numbers the SGA is seeing so far in this election.
09-13-2007