March 28, 2000

 

SGA Canidates Debate Issues of Student Concern

Caitlyn Payne  SGA Beat

 

The two tickets running for Student Government Association (SGA) president and vice president held an open forum Friday night in the Grandfather Mountain Ballroom of the student union.  Running for president and vice president are Ryan Bolick and Preston Powell and Phil Cathcart and Ashley Goad.  Cathcart, a junior, has served three semesters on the SGA cabinet. Goad, also a junior, has served three years in the senate.  Bolick is a junior from Lenoir and has served as an off-campus senator.  Powell, a junior from Summerfield, has been a member of SGA for three years.  The forum allowed each ticket to give opening remarks, then entered into three rounds of questioning. Student questions were discussed in the second round.  Candidates were asked to elaborate on their political background and what it has taught them. Each candidate emphasized commitment to the students and setting an example.  “Enthusiasm is one of the major things (needed) to be a good leader,” said Powell.  Goad said other qualities of leadership included “being encouraging, enthusiastic and efficient.”  Diversity also played a major role in both platforms. “Diversity is one of our number one issues,” said Goad. “I feel people learn [a great deal] through diversity.” Cathcart spoke about encouraging diversity through the creation of a diversity roundtable, where students could meet and discuss issues they felt were important and to encourage student interaction.  Bolick discussed creating a diversity recruitment task force for Appalachian, in hopes of improving student diversity here.  Bolick was also interested in initiating several new programs. When challenged about the feasibility of his programs, Bolick responded his platform is “very feasible” and accessible.  He hopes to create Project Nightlife, a free, safe ride home from local bars and clubs to cut down on drunk driving. Bolick and Powell intend to fund the project through sponsorships from corporations and local businesses. They emphasized none of the money would come from students. “[The project] will not increase student fees,” said Powell.  All students are encouraged to vote in the election via the internet at  www.appstate.edu.

 
   

theapp@appstate.edu