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The Daily OrangeCandidates face off on finances, MayFest
By Rebecca Toback
Posted: 11/5/09, 2:34 AM EST Section: News
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Barnhart, the current SA Student Engagement Committee chair, and Iyer, a newcomer to SA, took part in a debate Wednesday night answering questions from an audience of about 50 and a panel of campus media outlets in Maxwell Auditorium.
Both candidates are running for SA president in the first contested election in two years. They stood for the hour and 45 minute debate, relating cordially to one another and fielding a variety of questions, ranging from concerns about student tuition to the fate of MayFest.
Voting for SA president begins Monday on MySlice and runs through Nov. 12.
Barnhart spoke with ease on the issues he's come to know well as a member of SA, while Iyer struggled with some questions, though he stuck to the campaign promises he would enforce if elected.
In response to what the candidates deem the five biggest issues facing students, Barnhart said there's no easy answer.
"There is no way we can determine five issues that pertain to all students on campus," Barnhart said. "There are so many more than five things we can work on on campus. The top five most important things will be different to all students."
If elected, Barnhart said he plans to make sure assembly members will be out on campus talking to students.
He outlined an extensive plan he hopes will improve the quality of safety for students on campus. He also detailed plans for inclusion, fiscal responsibility and education in and out of classrooms for students.
Iyer said the five biggest issues are also based on what matters to students and what he's learned from talking to them.
"We need to look at new ways to do things and have a fresh start," Iyer said. "Look at the things that will really impact you and vote based on that."
Iyer said he released a survey prior to the beginning of his campaign to find out the students' primary concerns. He said it showed that the main concern of students was if their tuition money was going to the right places.
On the topic of tuition, both candidates said they want to inform students as to where their tuition money is going.
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