Future USG leaders debate

Students filled the Student Union North Lobby last night to hear the University Student Government executive candidates debate on university issues and answer student questions.

Presidential candidate Thomas Haggerty, a 4th-semester political science major, went up against Jason Ortiz, a 5th-semester political science and communications major, and his vice presidential pick, Amanda Stauble, an 8th-semester political science major. Haggerty's vice presidential choice, Lia Albini, a 6th-semester communications major, is currently studying abroad in Tokyo and was not available for the debate. Haggerty read an opening and closing statement on Albini's behalf.

The candidates went head-to-head on many of the questions posed by the panel of three representatives from various campus organizations, but agreed on several topics. Both agreed that there should be "equal access" to funding for all campus organizations, increased communications between USG and students as well as with the town of Mansfield, improvements for Mental Health Services and parking and commuter student relations. Both candidates voiced that they are in favor of student privacy and spreading knowledge about student rights. Both are in favor of a group to check the decisions made by USG, namely how student fees are distributed.

The candidates, however, disagreed on many other issues.

When asked how he would decide which issues needed more attention, if elected, Haggerty said, "You need to prioritize. As a leader of an organization, you need to set goals at the beginning of the semester. You need to set a strategic plan." He added that he feels that USG officials need to address the issues that they promised students they would address first.

Ortiz said that he would "not be afraid to ask for help" from other USG members if there ever was a time he and Stauble could not handle all the issues at once.

"There are a lot of student groups that are able to tackle these issues better than I ever could," he said. "For us to take on all of that weight would not be tapping into the full potential of the student body."

Ortiz and Stauble both advocate a sensible campus drug policy so that students caught with marijuana might not be as severely punished as they have been in the past. While Haggerty applauded their efforts, he said that he does not believe it is an issue that should be handled by USG. He said instead that they should be focusing on student safety.

Ortiz and Stauble propose directing a portion of USG funds toward hiring a lawyer to help students who have been charged with crimes. Haggerty and Albini believe that students "should know what our rights are" and that USG should not have to hire a lawyer with the funds.

When asked what they believe to be the greatest accomplishments of USG this past semester, Haggerty mentioned the newest legislation passed to look into USG funding guidelines to help regulate and check where the money is being spent.

Ortiz mentioned that GUARD Dogs lowering the required age of volunteers from 21 to 19 was a step in the right direction.

All candidates agreed that if not elected, they would remain actively involved in USG and serving the university.

"Hearing [the candidates] speak in person was a great way to learn where they actually stood on certain issues. So, forums like this are incredibly important for actually communicating their stances," said Sean Carey, an 8th-semester philosophy major. "I went in a little bit biased, I'll confess, but now I'm much more undecided."