University debates were held last night in Jefferson Hall for the Student Council Executive Board, Honor Committee, Judiciary Committee and Fourth-year Class President elections that begin Monday.
The events, however, were not well attended by either the candidates or University students.
Six of the 12 College students running for three spots on the Honor Committee were present at last night's debates. Only two of the nine UJC candidates participated while two of the four students contending for Fourth-year class president came to the debates.
All candidates for Student Council executive board seats attended the election event.
Three third-year College students are vying for the position of Student Council president - Chris Husser, Steven Reinemund and Micah Schwartz.
They debated issues such as the internal structure of Council and its meetings as well as better connecting with the student body as a whole.
"The state of race relations is very important to me," Husser said.
Reinemund focused on his campaign motto, "empower you," and aspirations to set up a comprehensive Web board.
If elected, Schwartz plans to write a monthly letter to students and he emphasized his experience on Council in comparison to the other candidates.
"Unlike my opponents, my experience on Student Council is more diversified," Schwartz said.
Second-year College student Ronnie Mayhew's candidacy for executive vice president is uncontested.
Third-year College student Kelly Polk is running against second-year College student William Sowers for Council vice president for organizations.
The two discussed how to develop better relationships with CIO's.
"I think that communication is clearly the issue here," Polk said.
Sowers explained his objectives, including the development of a "CIO loan program."
Atima Omara-Alwala debated with write-in candidate Bryan Pettit for the Council vice president for administration position.
In reference to his status as a write-in candidate, Pettit said, "It is no way an indicator that I am any less committed to this position."
Omara-Alwala and Pettit discussed the escort service, increased advertising for elections and The Hook Book, a student council produced handbook for first years, among other things.
The six attending Honor Committee candidates were in agreement that problems exist in the system, as evidenced by the Bloomfield cases and education is the best way to combat this problem.
"I believe every honor supporter should be an educator first," second-year College student Chris Tate said.
One of the most heated topics of debate last night was the informed retraction proposal that will be on the ballot.
"I am personally opposed to the informed retraction," third-year College student Duncan Brook said. "I don't think that it adds honesty to the system, but another layer of bureaucracy."
While other College candidates such as Porter Jones and Chris Mitchell also are opposed to the referendum, third-year College student Reighan Gillam supports it.
"It adds a third option for students who may be inclined to lie their way through the trial," Gillam said.
Third-year College student Ted Martin places the burden of the referendum vote on individual students to decide.
"I trust the students do and do not know what will help them," he said.
The two Judiciary Committee candidates to debate were second-year College students Alexis Gregorian and Robert O'Donnell.
Both candidates stressed the need to extend the statute of limitations for many cases beyond 45 days.
They also addressed the topic of hazing because currently there is a mandatory expulsion policy for students convicted of this offense.
"If this only helps one person, it is worth it," O'Donnell said in reference to extending the statute of limitations.
Fourth-year Class President candidates Kemper Steele and Kari Tegano clashed over the concepts of experience versus enthusiasm.
"I may not have all the experience on student council, but I want to do this job," Steele said.
Tegano felt that experience was important to the job.
"One of the reasons that you need experience is to know people, particularly in the Alumni," Tegano said.
The debates were moderated by two Jefferson Literary and Debating Society members, third-year College student Courtney Hagen and fourth-year College student Patrick McCreesh.
Read More
U.Va. loses over $60 million in federal research cuts
By Bertie Azqueta | 19 hours agoThe impacted grants include three from the NIH, seven from the NEH, one from the United States Agency for International Development and four from the State Department.
Department of Education reverses course, awards Federal Executive Institute to U.Va.
By Ford McCracken | 3 days agoThe ED had previously awarded the institute to Charlottesville City Schools.
Students reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis
By Bertie Azqueta | 4 days agoAt the University, students shared a range of perspectives on his legacy of reform, inclusivity and his impact on the global Catholic community.
