SGA DEBATE

The Student Government Association executive debate was held at the University Student Commons Monday.

The debate began at 1 p.m. and was moderated by Honors College Dean Timothy Hulsey. Fiftynine students were in attendance, as scheduled classes were going on at the same time. According to his running mate presidential hopeful Robert
Robinson, vice presidential candidate Esmel Meeks could not attend, as he was taking an exam at that time.

Candidates fielded queries, traded jabs and
joked about the current state of the SGA.

The event began with the Vice Presidential
Debate. Current SGA President Jibran Muhammad spoke about the accomplishments of his administration. His address was followed by the Presidential Debate.

Thursday is the last day to vote in the SGA
election. Students can vote at www.vcusga.com.

Listed below are the questions of the moderator, of students and from one candidate to another, and their paraphrased responses.

THE CANDIDATES

Students for Progress Party:
President – Gabriel Walker
Vice president – Roberto Celis
Executive director – Bhumi Davé

Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop Party:
President – Stephanie Lynch
Vice president – Megan Goldshine
Executive director – Saqib Khan

Students for Action Party:
President – Joshua Ronk
Vice president – Josie Mace
Executive director – Jenny You

Student Awareness Party:
President – Robert Robinson
Vice president – Esmel Meeks
Executive director – Michael Perkins

VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

How would you plan to help the president carry out his/her duties?

Celis: Would talk to student groups to get more students involved

Goldshine: Would serve as liaison between three branches

Mace: Would not let personal stuff get in the way

Meeks was unable to attend due to
class.

Will you pledge not to engage in negative
campaigning?

Celis: Will not engage in negative campaigning

Goldshine: Will not engage in negative
campaigning

Mace: Will not engage in negative
campaigning

Meeks was unable to attend due to class

Mace’s Question: How would you promote
transparency?

Celis: Would use the telecommunications
around campus, SGA Web sites and blogs to communicate with students

Goldshine: Would establish relationships
in the Senate and eliminate internal conflicts

Mace: Staying positive and the work she did with Student Life

Meeks was unable to attend due to class

Goldshine’s Question: What have you done to
alleviate tensions between branches?

Celis: Has worked with Green Affairs
and met with students to encourage
sustainability in the dorms

Mace: Stayed postitive and worked with Student Life

Meeks was unable to attend due to class

Celis’ Question: How do you plan on encouraging sustainability on campus, and what have you done to promote it?

Goldshine: Promoting recycling, and her administration will push for more sustainability; claims to not know much
about sustainability

Mace: Will push for a sustainable campus

Meeks was unable to attend due to class

PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

What is your platform?

Walker: SGA needs to be a reflection of
diversity for the new VCU president

Lynch: Better communication between SGA and students, more SGA sponsored events on campus and a Web site where VCU students could trade textbooks

Ronk: Advocate for every student

Robinson: Previously un-affiliated with
SGA; Wants more information for student organizations, more scholarships and for the SGA themselves to pay for a scholarship.

Are you happy with the amount of money and how it’s used?

Walker: Need more emphasis put on current guidelines; should not be up to a few to determine how money should be spent

Lynch: Likes the process, but thinks
communication between the SGA and student organizations could be better

Ronk: Wants to cut a $1,500 overlap for “Speak Out,” a forum where students ask SGA questions; wants all SGA budgets to be available to the public online, and supports the new constitution that failed to pass, because it would get rid of overlapping positions

Robinson: Said that his student organization was hurt financially, because
no one explained to them how things worked

How would you effectively communicate with the student body?

Walker: Use video reports to update students

Lynch: Wants a “media explosion;” wants to use Facebook, SGA sponsored events around campus and VCU high school recruiting functions to promote SGA

Ronk: Wants SGA to plan all events at the beginning of the year

Robinson: Giving presidential addresses,
speaking with every student organization and using the VCU Portal, which SGA hasn’t updated since 2005

How will you work with future VCU President Rao?

Walker: Meet as regularly with Rao, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Stephen Gottfriedson and Vice Provost of Student Affairs Henry Rhone as possible

Lynch: Thinks it’s a great opportunity, and says the two of them are alike

Ronk: Met Rao, and said he would talk to student organizations to get their input

Robinson: Create a healthy relationship
with Rao and keep an open mind