The two candidates for Student Senate president agreed on almost every issue at last night's debate, expressing similar views on topics including diversity programming, budget cuts, Ohio University's party-school image, students' relationships with the city of Athens, and improving student advocacy.
About 60 students attended last night's debate, which was the first of two sponsored by senate's Board of Elections. Nearly everyone in attendance was a current senate member, a candidate running on one of the tickets, or a member of the media. The second debate is set for May 13 at 6 p.m. in Baker University Center 240, and the voting will take place May 20 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. online.
The candidates proposed similar solutions to almost every problem mentioned at the debate, and cited similar qualifications, such as being members of senate for three years.
Each candidate, however, cited varying personal experiences. Jesse Neader, the presidential candidate running on the SOUND ticket, discussed his diverse personal background and Emily Hanford, the presidential candidate running on the Prepared to Engage, Act and Respond ticket, listed her experiences working with Athens residents during her time as senate's City and County Affairs commissioner.
I am a multiracial homosexual with a learning disability from Appalachia
Neader said. I am a diverse student.
Although Hanford admitted to not having much experience working with diversity issues within senate, she cited her interactions with the Athens community through her work as City and County Affairs commissioner.
My experience comes from working with all kind of people especially within Athens Hanford said. I have worked with adults more than I've worked with the average student sometimes. ... I have been working very hard to develop a really good relationship with people in Athens.
When asked about where the university should cut the budget, Hanford argued it is important to maintain all of OU's current programs while Neader suggested diving deeper into the budget to find places to cut back.
Previously
(SOUND has) been talking about $6
000 that has been allocated for phones (in residence halls). But not everyone uses a phone in the dorms anymore. That's just one example. We need to dive into the budget and start protecting what we have.
Hanford stressed the importance of preserving student organizations while the university is facing $13.75 million in budget cuts, and giving students the best education possible with the money that is left.
We need to make sure that we are keeping student organizations alive and they will still be able to thrive
Hanford said. I can't really point out any specific program on campus that isn't important. Every student deserves to have a quality education.
1
News
Pamela Engel
31656a.jpg
