Candidates debate Rao’s leave, campus involvement

The Student Government Association held a debate for presidential and vice presidential candidates Wednesday in the Lake Michigan Room of the Bovee University Center.

Each ticket received two minutes to answer a set of questions in front of the 45-member audience. With University President Michael Rao leaving, one of the big questions was how the candidates would react to working with a new president.

“We’re going to welcome the new president with open arms,” said Stephanie Glidden, a vice presidential candidate and Kalamazoo freshman. “We can give him documentation on what SGA has done in the past. Students need to be on the top of his priority list.”

Other candidates are hoping to engage the new administration.

“There used to be open forums,” said Tim Popma, a presidential candidate and Kentwood senior. He would seek for the new administration to become more visible to students.

Presidential candidate and Mount Pleasant junior Jason Nichol hopes to engage the administration by allowing to students to voice disagreements.

“If someone disagrees, we want to bring that up,” Nichol said. “We want to do so in a functional manner.”

Candidates were also asked how their administration would be able to get students more involved.

“Technology is going to be the way this is going to happen,” Presidential candidate and Sandusky senior Brandon Lawson said. “The (online) events calender is completely underused.”

Vice presidential candidate and Allen Park junior Shane Farrell plans to use popular Web sites such as Facebook, blogs, and Twitter to get their word out if elected.

“If we can communicate more, students won’t feel their voice is lost in the flock,” Nichol said.

Part of his plan includes putting reasoning for decisions in legislation into Central Michigan Life.

One ticket is claiming they are already engaging students.

“We’ve walked around campus dressed up to get people’s attention,” VP candidate Victoria Kukla said.

Her running mate said they have already garnered student support.

“We have a petition (for the GA Bill) online,” said Allison White, a presidential candidate and Chelsea junior. “We’re getting people involved.”

Candidates answered a question on how to handle the budget.

“We should hold spending accountable,” Vice presidential candidate and Pittsford senior Bob Simmons said.

Old buildings also need to be retrofitted, Glidden said. In addition, candidates will look for other sources of revenue.

“We will focus on external sources for budgeting,” White said.

When asked about how SGA can improve, the candidates universally agreed that more student involvement is necessary.

Presidential candidate Lauren Elias wants students to know what SGA is doing.

“There’s a disconnect between the SGA and students,” Elias said. “We’re doing great things and people should know about it.”

Afterwards, students were able pose their own questions.

“They are good candidates,” Detroit senior Aesha Rashid said. “There are two or three tickets in the forefront.”

university@cm-life.com