Student Council Executive Board, Honor Committee and University Judiciary Committee candidates voiced their views during sparsely attended University debates held in the Newcomb Hall Theater last night.
Online elections begin today and run through Thursday.
Each candidate was allowed a one-minute opening statement and then answered questions from moderator Patrick McCreesh, a Jefferson Literary and Debating Society member. Candidates then answered audience questions and delivered a concluding rebuttal to close the debate.
Concerns addressed by candidates for Council president ranged from improving the University's academic culture to graduate student health care to athletic events woes.
"I really think our university is in dire need of a new academic culture," candidate Nick Jabbour, a third-year College student, said.
Candidate Abby Fifer, a third-year College student, saw the need for a Bursar's Office satellite on central Grounds and more performing arts space.
Many candidates emphasized increasing student involvement in Council affairs.
"I want to focus on getting more and more people involved," said candidate Patrick Kelly, a third-year Engineering student.
Commerce student Katherine Martini, College student Syed Sami Shah and College student Claire Shean, all third years, also participated in the Council president debates.
Preston Lloyd, a first-year College student, and second-year College students Steven Looke and Adam Swann vied for the executive vice president seat at the debates.
McCreesh posed a question pertaining to the ad hoc committee created by Council this year addressing the "not gay" cheer shouted during the "Good Ol' Song."
All three candidates agreed the song "was an embarrassment to the University." But they agreed changing the cheer would be difficult and no definite solutions.
"There needs to be more student understanding of what's going on," Looke said.
Third-year College students Kelly Harris and Howard Anderson debated concerns facing the vice president for organizations.
Harris focused on her experience as current vice president for organizations, while Anderson contended he would bring innovative and fresh ideas to the position if elected.
Changing the contracted independent organization resource guide, adding the winter activities fair and dedicating extensive time to the job were achievements Harris cited.
Anderson highlighted improvements he wanted to make.
"I really want to improve the appropriation office ... I want to break the culture that the CIOs have to spend all the money that is allocated to them," Anderson said.
Honor Committee candidates debated perceptions of the honor system. Issues surrounding the four proposed referenda, appearing on this week's ballot, also arose.
Third-year College student Josh Hood, first-year College student Porter Jones and third-year College student Brian Smith supported the referenda.
Second-year College student Christopher Smith said he disagreed with Proposals #2 and #3 of the referenda.
"In a single sanction system, proposal two is a safeguard," Smith said.
Proposal #2 would remove the consideration of seriousness from determinations of academic fraud, and Proposal #3 would remove the option of selecting a panel composed entirely of randomly selected students.
The candidates for the University Judiciary Committee addressed the Standards of Conduct and educating students of UJC affairs. Candidates overwhelmingly said they support the Committee's aspects of self-governance.
Third-year College students Paul Gigante, Isaac Gradman and Steve Kaplan, third-year Engineering student Kathryn Szeliga, third-year College student Rob Wavra and third-year Engineering student Sachin Kamath also participated in the debate.
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