Debating turned into arguing and criticizing last night as Student Union and College government slates sparred over preventing Executive Board conflicts, ensuring campus safety and reducing student apathy.
Three slates vying for seats on the Union E-board, two for the College of Arts and Sciences Forum and two slates of candidates hoping to represent the College of General Studies defended their platforms before a crowd of about 60 people at Morse Auditorium last night. Student Union Elections Commission Vice Chair Brian Sirman mediated the debate, which featured questions from the audience and the other slates.
The Vice President of Safety Services candidates of the Union slates – Real, Perpetual Motion and New Blood – were all asked what they would do to insure student safety.
Perpetual Motion’s candidate, Korina Ramsland, initiated a Union campus safety walk earlier this year which found potentially unsafe areas on campus and said further plans to implement more lights and blue emergency phones are pending. However, she said it might be easier if individual residences request such items.
New Blood has not named a VP of Safety Services, but promised to appoint the most qualified and dedicated person, if it is elected.
“We will certainly not choose one of our friends, which has been done in the past,” said presidential candidate Jason Nadler. “It is not completely our responsibility, and we will work with the [Boston University Police Department] and the administration on the problem.”
Citing previous student apathy, Real vowed to gain student interest not just from current students, but from incoming students as well.
“We only get one chance for a first impression on freshmen,” said Real presidential candidate Mike Moffo. “It’s about getting back student confidence and interest.”
An audience member questioned Real’s involvement in other student groups as a potential distraction to their roles on E-board. However, VP of Academic Affairs candidate Zach Coseglia rebutted that argument.
“I don’t think that anything you can do as student leaders will make you distracted,” Coseglia said. “That’s why we care about the Student Union, that’s why we’re involved. It’s not a distraction. It’s a good thing.”
Perpetual Motion’s Lisa Kurdziel said personal and creative challenges the E-board will face next year will prepare them for future problems. Members also said since BU is one of few schools without an African American studies major, that idea will be acted upon.
Audience members also criticized Nadler for a lack of involvement in student government this year after his E-board slate lost its bid last year. Nadler defended himself by saying his experience in the Union last year makes him qualified.
CAS Forum slates Affirmative Action and Velvet Revolution criticized each other’s platforms.
Action presidential candidate Joseph Hardin said Revolution’s plans to clean up the free expression boards and give 1,000 free copies to all student groups are already in place.
Revolution treasurer candidate Rachael Garrett, however, countered by saying Action’s plan to give two $1,000 scholarships to community service-oriented CAS students trivialized the act.
However, Action Vice President Nicolette Carter said the goal of the scholarship was to reward students who devote time to others.
“It’s not about how much community service they do,” Carter said. “It’s about how committed the person was to the cause.”
Meanwhile, the CGS slates, Lead and The Right Stuff, argued over unity within the College and current involvement.
Lead’s members said organizing cultural events, informing students of the government and acting as a liaison between CGS students and professors is crucial to unity.
The Right Stuff said it would add a suggestion box to allow students to offer suggestions on events and problems plaguing the school.
Voting begins today and will continue through Friday. The winners will be announced Friday at the GSU Ziskind Lounge.