March 17, 1998

SGA debate allows for insight into issues

Sherrie Huffman, Staff Writer

On Thursday March 12,  Student Government Association held a formal debate for Presidential candidates Ehren Meister and Jo Lee, and for Vice-Presidential candidates Brad Manning and Christy Barrick.

The candidates answered questions from panelists and audience members alike.

The panel consisted of    News Editor for The Appalachian Leslie Hitchcock,  Residence Life Representative for Club Council Karl Gaukstern, and Coffey Hall President Erin Atkins.

In Round 1 of the debate, panelists were allowed to ask one question and all candidates were given an oppurtunity to respond.

Hitchcock asked the candidates whether having the back page of The Appalachian reserved monthly for SGA updates and newsletters was fair to other clubs and organizations on campus.
 
Meister responded that it wasn't  fair to other  clubs and that he would like to start round table discussions with students on campus to relay issues and information to them instead of using the back page.

Both Lee and Meister said that SGA should send out newsletters to students instead of using the back page of The Appalachian for updates.

Panelist Gaukstern asked the candidates for their reactions to the Women's Center that will be opened in the Fall of '98.

All candidates agreed that the Women's Center is a well-needed addition to Appalachian and is a great idea.

Panelist Atkins questioned the candidates, "How can your ticket ensure that the student voice will continue to be heard?"

Lee said, "I'm a people person, and our platform represents a diverse group of students."

Meister said that he and Barrick want to get information out to the students via the SGA webpage and letting students give feedback.

Meister also said, "The more students that vote, the more student voices that are heard."

During Round 2, panelists asked specific questions for a particular candidate or ticket.
 
Gaukstern asked  Lee-Manning how they planned to reduce traffic fines as part of their platform.

Lee said that he and Manning would like to see metered parking and a parking deck on campus for student use.

Hitchcock asked the Meister-Barrick ticket if they thought their platform should revolve  around more central issues such as parking and construction, which are bigger issues of concern to students.

"We have done the research on issues such as those, and we didn't want to put issues like that on our platform just to get votes," said Barrick.

Gaukstern asked Meister-Barrick how they expected to get students and faculty to support the implementation of a new Academic Honor Code.

Meister said that honesty is something that a student must uphold themselves to be fair.  Barrick also said that an Honor Code will help clarify what plagarism is and will help students to be honest.

Hitchcock asked Lee- Manning how they planned to encourage student voting.

Lee replied that putting out signs and fliers encouraging students to vote is a great idea.  Manning said that the candidates themselves need to tell students to vote.

In Round 3, the panelists were allowed to ask various questions  to tickets of their choice.

Gaukstern asked Meister and Barrick what is the most important problem here at ASU and how do they plan to solve it.
 
Meister said that student involvement is a problem, and through using technology, such as web pages and e-mail, students can become more involved with the campus by keeping in touch with what's going on with SGA and other organizations.

Barrick said that a problem is establishing tradition at ASU, and starting traditions such as improving Homecoming and the Centennial Celebration will solve the lack of tradition.

Atkins asked Lee and Manning how their platform serve to unite the entire campus.

Lee-Manning replied that safety is a concern of all people, and that everyone working to improve safety will unite the campus.

The floor was then opened to audience members who asked questions concerning the weather policy, beautification of the campus, expansion of Mountaineer Escort, Affirmative Action on campus for minorities, and Academic Integrity.

At the end of the debate, the candidates were given an opportunity to give closing statements.

Lee said, "If I am elected, [students] can feel free to come talk to me.  I will do what I can to make ASU a better place."

Manning also said that if anyone has questions to feel free to come see him or Lee.

Meister said that students should get out and vote.  Participation needs to be increased here at ASU, he said.

Barrick said it's a great thing to see students who care.  "The more people that vote, the more voice SGA has."
 
 
 
 
 

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