By Kelsi Peace, Features Editor
SA executive office candidates spent a lot of time agreeing with one another and laying out their accomplishments at Monday’s debates in Chapel on the Hill.
When treasurer candidate Kevan Kirksey, sophomore finance major from Tyler, said the budget that is currently in place does a good job of utilizing the limited funds, his opponent agreed.
“We do have a great process,” said Kyle Moore, junior management major from Double Oak. “But I think we need more.”
This seemed to be the theme for much of the debate.
When vice presidential candidate, Daniel-Paul Watkins, sophomore political science major from Fredericksburg, Va., said he plans to be in “constant communication with all student groups,” his opponent, Ryan Stephen, sophomore finance major from Spring, countered. “I’ve already made those connections.”
Even the presidential candidates began the debates by building off what the other said.
“I know what it takes to love a community, a community that has problems, issues that you can’t fix overnight,” said Matt Worthington, junior English major from San Antonio, citing his experience as creator of Jesus and the Hip Hop Prophets.
Presidential candidate Brandon Smith, junior international relations major from Kansas City, countered that a president is not judged by his or her personal achievements but by the vision they present to the body they govern.
During the closing arguments of the debate, Smith and Worthington directly addressed one another’s platforms.
Smith named three issues he plans to address if elected: the attendance policy, a tuition freeze and student-priced movie tickets.
Smith also said issues will arrive that he can’t predict now.
Worthington agreed.
“I can’t predict what the student body is going to look like next year,” Worthington said.
He plans to offer monthly student forums for students to talk to SA representatives if elected.
Smith countered, “You don’t build community by planning direct events.”
Smith also said he is scared that Worthington hasn’t offered a direct, specific platform.
“I’m just going to do it,” Worthington said, concluding the debate.
While students who attended the debate did not receive any Chapel credit, about 50 students attended and entered to win one of 15 iTunes or Starbucks gift cards.
Voting booths will be set up in the McGlothlin Campus Center until 5 p.m. Wednesday.
