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Sparse attendance marred debates between candidates for president and vice president of Student Government last night. The debates took place at 6 p.m. in the North Pod of Memorial Union.
Presidential candidates Priyanth Chandrasekar, Kevin Ballew and Derek Mitchell debated in the second half of the program. They discussed rising financial burdens on students, the importance of leadership skills and diversity on campus and in the senate. The candidates did not significantly disagree on many issues, focusing instead on their different traits and leadership styles.
Chandrasekar discussed his work with the International Students Association, emphasizing his communication and networking skills. “It’s important for somebody like the student body president to reach out,” he said.
Mitchell spoke about rising tuition costs and the need for Student Government to be more open to the student body. Drawing on his experience as vice president of Student Entertainment, Mitchell promised to work to promote senate visibility.
“What we do is crucial,” Mitchell said. “An open door policy is crucial.”
Ballew said the biggest problem facing the senate is the gap between students and senators.
“Student Government is viewed by the general student as a resume-building club,” he said, noting that he wanted to change this perception. “I will make it my principal goal to reconnect students to senators.”
All the candidates agreed it was important to make Student Government more accessible, more diverse, and to represent student interests over personal beliefs.
Mitchell said he would encourage the administration to lower student expenses. “I think they need . to take every cost-cutting measure they can,” he said. He promised to start a fund to finance campus beautification projects using money from student parking tickets.
“Students come to UMaine because it’s affordable,” Mitchell said. “We need to maintain that.”
Ballew and Chandrasekar echoed this sentiment. Chandrasekar mentioned that he had been meeting with Muhammad Ali and Kathy Kittridge of Dining Services in an attempt to address rising food costs.
Chandrasekar spoke about the need for increased diversity in the senate. “We definitely have a lack of participation from certain groups,” he said.
Responding to a question about their qualifications, the candidates listed a number of extracurricular activities and leadership positions they have held. Ballew served as an RA, president of the Interfraternity Council, and the budgetary committee of student senate. Mitchell is currently vice president of Student Entertainment and an active member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Chandrasekar is the president of the International Students Association and has served as an RA for three years.
Before the presidential debate, vice presidential candidates, senators William Pomerleau and Sean Rankin, discussed ideas for improving senate visibility, parliamentary procedure, and the importance of experience in senate.
“Student Government is like a workers union,” Pomerleau said. “Without workers, there is no union, and without students there is no student government.” Pomerleau discussed his platform for addressing student concerns like rising dining costs, parking problems on campus, and making professor evaluations available to students.
Rankin hopes to bring new ideas and fresh energy to the senate. After joining senate, he said, “I quickly realized . senate needs to be changed.”
“If elected, I promise to fight for student needs,” Rankin said. He talked about his work with Maine state senators trying to lower tuition costs for UMaine students.
Both candidates discussed the need for students and senators to work more closely together. “Students need to be more involved in senate,” Rankin said. Pomerleau outlined a plan to have periodical statements from the senate to the student body and events to bring senators and students together socially.
Pomerleau stressed the need for the administration to address rising costs. “Whenever we have to pay more of this,” he said, holding a dollar bill aloft, “it’s a problem.”
Rankin echoed his sentiments, stressing the need for a change in leadership. “This change can only happen by electing a new leader,” Rankin said.
Elections for student government will be held Dec. 4. Students may submit their ballots via FirstClass or in person Memorial Union.
The debate was moderated by Kyle Webster and sponsored by the Fair Elections and Practices Committee.
Bangor Daily News