Candidates debate issues

Student Government Association presidential candidates squared off Thursday night in a debate co-sponsored by the College Democrats and College Republicans.

College Republicans President Kristy Hays said, "The purpose of this debate is to allow the presidential candidates the opportunity to express their ideas and address the issues."

The candidates were randomly asked a variety of questions concerning current issues relevant to student life, including increasing student involvement on campus, parking and housing situations and the possibility of online voting.

Adrian B. Cain offered ways to increase student involvement.

"Many students come from a very close proximity to campus and go home because of that," he said. "I'd like to provide activities for those students to do on the weekends instead of just going home."

Tony W. Ponton gave solutions to the parking problem.

"We have the opportunity to get a parking garage which would be great," he said. "I also think we need to get more student parking places, so I propose to cut down the teacher lots.

"I think the teacher lots need to be looked at and those that are half-empty need to be re-allotted for students," he said.

Nicole Nelson said the housing situation is part of the Cain-Nelson campaign plan.

"We want to raise off-campus housing standards by publishing a comprehensive housing list that would act like a rating guide.

"By publishing it, we hope that if a place is not in good condition they'll improve it based on their rating," she said.

Bill Walker had a different solution. "We would like to bring together an enforcement committee to go around and make sure students aren't getting ripped off by their landlords," he said.

The possibility of online voting was an issue the candidates felt strongly about. Ponton said, "I think voting is more of a responsibility. The easier you make it to vote, the more people you'll have voting who don't know the issues.

"I want to see students making informed choices based on what the candidates have to say," he said.

Cain said, "I am absolutely not in favor of online voting. Part of the political process is the interaction between candidate and voter is destroyed with online voting."

Walker was in favor of an integrated system of balloting and online voting.

"We're not completely against the idea of online voting," he said.

"We want to see students get out and get involved."

College Democrats President Nathanial Kuratomi said he was pleased by the debate. "All the candidates voiced their opinions very well. A lot of student concerns were highlighted and addressed by each candidate.

"I think it will be an exciting election," he said.

College Republicans President Kristy Hays said, "There were quite a few who stayed through the debate and asked the candidates questions of their own afterwards and that's a good sign that students are interested," she said.