Candidates for the Student Association executive council will square off in a debate tonight in the Dawg House at 5 p.m.
The debate, which will be open to the entire student body, will showcase each candidate’s platform and will help students make an informed choice on election day, Feb. 17.
Director of public relations for the SA Margaret Claire Walker said the debate is helpful for the candidates to show the student body how they feel about certain issues.
“It is really beneficial for the students to see the platform of each candidate,” Walker said. “It will also help students better understand what the Student Association can do and wants to do for them.”
Walker also said each candidate will be required to participate in the debate.
“Each candidate will participate, which is important, so that the students will get to see the candidates that are vying to represent them,” Walker said.
SA President Blake Jeter also said he felt it was important for those who are looking at voting in the upcoming election to attend the debate.
“It is really important that the student body knows about the debate, so that they get to hear these candidates and what they want to do,” Jeter said. “One of these candidates will be able to improve student life and I hope many students come out.”
He also said the debate is an important part of the election for the candidates.
“I think it is important for the candidates because it gets them out of their normal comfortable atmosphere. You really get the raw feedback of what they think and you get to see the candidates as they really are,” Jeter said.
SA elections commissioner Ben Kenna discussed the format of the upcoming debate.
“Each candidate will get a question, then the other candidates will get time to respond. This is to keep time fair,” he said.
Kenna said he is hopeful for a large turnout of the student electorate as well.
“I hope that there is a good turnout, so everyone can make an informed decision on election day,” Kenna said.
Read Spraberry, freshman computer engineering major, said he thinks the debate will help him make a decision on election day.
“I feel that this debate will give me insight into the candidates’ views and how they will deal with issues on campus. This will help me decide which candidates are the best,” he said.
Spraberry also said he definitely plans to attend the debate and would encourage his fellow students to do the same.
“I am for sure going, and I hope there will be an excellent turnout from the rest of the student body as well so we can make this election the best and most informed yet,” Spraberry said.
Evan Bellis, sophomore mechanical engineering major, said he felt this will help him decide how to vote.
“I feel that the debate will help me make an informed decision in the upcoming election as to who to vote for and what the candidate’s platforms are,” Bellis said.