SGA presidential tickets boast similar platforms
SGA 2018 presidential tickets debate in the Bovee University Center Auditorium on March 19.
Two students are running to be the next Student Government Association president at Central Michigan University.
The first of two presidential debates took place March 19 in the Bovee University Center Auditorium. The debate, moderated by SGA Elections Director Jackie Smith, replaced the regularly scheduled SGA meeting and produced a larger crowd than the regular 200 representatives.
Along with their running mates, each candidate stressed city and campus community involvement, sustainability and mental health.
Traverse City junior Jake Hendricks and Nashville sophomore Lyndi Rose of the Hendricks-Rose ticket said their platform focuses on active citizenship, inclusivity, sustainability and civic engagement.
"(We want to) make our community better and make our campus better,” Hendricks said.
Indiana senior Shane Guenin and Greenville senior Allison Harrison of the Guenin-Harrison ticket focused on mental health, partnerships with Greek Life and fostering stronger relationships with Registered Student Organizations, the Academic Senate and City Commission.
"Change — that’s what our platform is about,” Guenin said.
Guenin, a first-term senator, has championed his idea of change by choosing a vice presidential candidate who has never attended SGA.
"We think SGA can stand to change a lot," he said. "The way we are currently doing things — legislation can die, not a lot of people know about us — I think what we really need is an outside perspective."
The Hendricks-Rose ticket had a different approach.
"I do agree with Shane and Allison," Hendricks said. "I think, however, experience is very important to have along passion and drive. Knowing how different processes and cabinet function and the things behind the scenes is important."
The spotlight on experience from the Hendricks-Rose ticket is expected. Both candidates have been involved in SGA for two years, with Hendricks currently serving as senate pro tempore and Governmental Affairs Committee chair and Rose currently serving as a senator and Spirits and Traditions Committee chair.
Each candidate answered questions regarding platform in support of mental health awareness, community building and environmental and fiscal sustainability with the same intent but different presentation.
This was demonstrated in both parties' statements about following through with legislation passed by SGA.
"We see the importance of recognizing once legislation is passed there are more steps to go," Hendricks said. "We need to follow up on the legislation and make sure things are implemented that students want to see on campus."
Guenin replied with something similar.
"What we see more of is legislation dying immediately after we pass it," Guenin said. "By following up and having conversations with people with more power than us, we'll make sure when we pass legislation we mean that we want it."
The second presidential debate will take place from 7-9 p.m. March 29 in the Charles V. Park Library Auditorium.
Voting for candidates will be open from April 1-6. The winning ticket will replace SGA President Anna Owens and Vice President Derek Sturvist for the Fall 2018 semester.
Mount Pleasant Mayor Allison Quast-Lents spoke at the meeting and discussed how she plans to improve student-to-city relations.
"Government is slow moving," she said. "(But) Ypsilanti has one of their city commission meetings at (Eastern Michigan University's) campus and they try to discuss campus-related issues so the student body can see an actual city commission meeting."
Quast-Lents is planning to push a similar event and said the next SGA president and CMU president may be able to help that happen in the fall.
