By Michael Freeman, Managing Editor
“Openness,” “honesty” and “transparency” were words repeated often as five candidates for Students’ Association Congress debated in front of several hundred students in Moody Coliseum on Tuesday night.
The hour-long Chapel forum, moderated by SA president Sarah Pulis and elections co-chair Blake Penfield, covered topics such as social clubs, the current SA Congress and the candidates’ relationships with Jesus.
Daniel Burgner, junior political science major from Yorba Linda, Calif., and Charles Gaines, junior criminal justice major from Cedar Hill, presented their cases why they should be elected as the Students’ Association executive president.
And Scott Adrian, sophomore political science major from Glendale, Calif., and Tony Godfrey, junior English major from Burleson, debated for the position of SA vice president. Luke Cochran, junior finance major from Round Rock, also spoke. He is running unopposed for SA treasurer.
“I think all of the candidates did a really, really great job,” Godfrey said. “It was good to be able to compare apples to apples and have us answer the same questions and see how we responded to that. I felt like I said what I had to say.”
The debate began with each candidate introducing themselves and explaining why they are qualified for the position they are vying to win.
“This past semester, I think SA has had a little too much fun, and we’ve all seen that unfortunately,” Gaines said. “I think it’s time to get serious for the time being. Why am I qualified? Not only will I put Christ first, but I’m going to take it seriously.”
Pulis and Penfield then asked what the candidates’ objectives will be for next year.
“The Bible says the best type of leader is a servant leader,” Adrian said. “And I promise nothing more than to be your servant.”
All of the candidates touched on strengthening communication between the student body and the SA Congress.
“My No. 1 goal is to create a relationship,” Godfrey said.
Other candidates specified goals for next year such as extending library hours, planning more Chapel forums and finding opportunities for students to study abroad.
“I would have a table set up in the Campus Center every day, so that students can come and talk to SA officers,” Burgner said.
After a year that saw the SA Congress close its monthly meetings several times and impeach former SA president Daniel Paul Watkins, the candidates emphasized being more open and accessible to the student body. Some of the questions Pulis and Penfield asked were submitted by the students in attendance. One of the questions directed to Cochran was how he would acquire the funds to keep the library open and pay its staff.
“It was a funny question because it’s not something that’s in the Students’ Association budget,” Cochran said. “I think it shows the disconnect that we want to continue to work on. As treasurer, I want to let students know here’s where the money is going, here’s what we have the power to do with the money and the power we do not have to do with the money. We want to create that transparency so we can address questions like that before they are even asked.”
The candidates also were asked questions from the student body on how SA Congress should relate with the university’s administration and what the candidates have done in the past while on Congress.
“I wish that [the debate] could’ve gone longer,” Adrian said. “We all talked about transparency, honesty and truth. Well, in one short hour [the students] might not have been able to see that.”
Students responded in cheers and applause to some of the candidates’ answers, especially those that detailed what plans they had.
“I feel like the response was positive,” Burgner said. “I was so pleased with how many students came. I feel like they really listened to what the candidates were saying.”
All of the candidates agreed they enjoyed the forum.
“It was fun,” Gaines said. “I think, overall, it went pretty well. It was a great representation of what we want to get accomplished. We’re advocating for the students.”
The student body will have one last chance to hear from the candidates in Wednesday’s Chapel as each candidate gives a brief speech.
Then, students will be able to vote. Voting will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Students will need to bring their student ID to vote.
