Spring Break
Future USG leaders debate
Panel asks questions to USG presidential candidates in formal debate
Alissa Letkowski
Issue date: 4/9/09 Section: News
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Presidential candidate Thomas Haggerty, a 4th-semester political science major, went up against Jason Ortiz, a 5th-semester political science and communications major, and his vice presidential pick, Amanda Stauble, an 8th-semester political science major. Haggerty's vice presidential choice, Lia Albini, a 6th-semester communications major, is currently studying abroad in Tokyo and was not available for the debate. Haggerty read an opening and closing statement on Albini's behalf.
The candidates went head-to-head on many of the questions posed by the panel of three representatives from various campus organizations, but agreed on several topics. Both agreed that there should be "equal access" to funding for all campus organizations, increased communications between USG and students as well as with the town of Mansfield, improvements for Mental Health Services and parking and commuter student relations. Both candidates voiced that they are in favor of student privacy and spreading knowledge about student rights. Both are in favor of a group to check the decisions made by USG, namely how student fees are distributed.
The candidates, however, disagreed on many other issues.
When asked how he would decide which issues needed more attention, if elected, Haggerty said, "You need to prioritize. As a leader of an organization, you need to set goals at the beginning of the semester. You need to set a strategic plan." He added that he feels that USG officials need to address the issues that they promised students they would address first.
Ortiz said that he would "not be afraid to ask for help" from other USG members if there ever was a time he and Stauble could not handle all the issues at once.
"There are a lot of student groups that are able to tackle these issues better than I ever could," he said. "For us to take on all of that weight would not be tapping into the full potential of the student body."
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