The Student Government Associations' Major Candidate Debate took place in front of a packed Student Center Ballroom, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. With the opportunity to prove why they should fill the SGA seat they are seeking, candidates gave it their all in pointing out what they could do for the University and it's students.
Each Miss Auburn candidate as well as the unopposed treasurer, Richmond Gunter, began the debate by giving a description of their platform. Following this introduction, the vice president candidates readied themselves for a debate, mediated by current SGA President Harrison Mills and gave their opening statements.
"I kind of started at the bottom as a freshmen senator, so to speak," said Olabode Anise, vice presidential candidate. "I'm still having fun three years later. I'm still excited."
David Wisdom, the opposing vice presidential candidate, took the opening moment to tell people leadership is not always found through a resume.
"Your ability to lead others is not in your resume," Wisdom said. "Rather, it's in your heart." Wisdom and Anise were asked a series of different questions, mostly aimed toward their platform.
However, Wisdom and Anise were given the opportunity to differentiate themselves when Mills pitched them the same question pertaining to which code of laws affects students the most, and what could be changed.
Anise and Wisdom made similar points, both citing that elections affect students the most.
"Elections is where students have the opportunity to elect your student leaders," Anise said. "I want people to utilize the funds they have so they can actively represent you because it's actually about the platforms, not the gimmicks, or signs or anything else."
Wisdom echoed Anise in that elections could stand to be revamped.
"In the past year or so, we have put some Band-Aids on it," Wisdom said. "We need to form a committee this summer and talk about the ways different SEC schools do elections and see what they are successful at and what they are not successful at and take the best and hold onto the good and kind of revamp it."
At the end of the debate, each candidate was given the opportunity to make closing remarks.
"It's not about telling you what I know," Wisdom said. "It's about coming together and unifying all that is Auburn. There's nothing more meaningful than a united Auburn family."
Anise used his closing time to share his feelings that Auburn students know what is best for them, while also trying to point out that he is the best vice president for Auburn students.
"I didn't run because I've had experience in the past," Anise said. "The reason I ran is because I know that you know best."
Following the conclusion of the vice presidential debate, the presidential candidates took the stage with what could have been one of the last chances to gain new votes. In the opening remarks, both candidates utilized their time to identify why they chose to run for SGA president.
"Auburn's student experience is second to none," said Hayden Harrelson, presidential candidate. "Our SGA's responsibility is to build and foster key relationships between students and administrators in an effort to make the student experience better. However, I feel like SGA has lost its voice. It's time for a new, fresh prospective on SGA."
Powell followed Harrelson's lead, telling the audience why he ran for SGA president.
"Our platform and our ideas do reflect a true desire to serve," said Logan Powell, presidential candidate. "I ran for SGA president because I believe that everyone in this room should be empowered to create the best experience here possible."
Powell and Harrelson were asked a series of different questions pertaining to their platform, including ones submitted to the SGA twitter.
In the same manner as the vice presidential debate, presidential candidates were asked to answer the same question after a series of different questions. Mills asked both candidates how they planned to ensure the voice of the student body is heard and acted upon by Auburn administrators.
"I think it comes down to the shoulders of the SGA president, honestly," Powell said. "I do believe that every Auburn student is empowered here individually. I want to come to you as your SGA president with a notebook in hand and I want to write down your ideas and thoughts."
Harrelson's remark were similar in that he says it is the president's job to make sure students voices are heard.
"In my opinion, I believe either the president or someone from SGA should attend organizational meetings," Harrelson said. "We should ask them questions and get their feedback. As SGA president, we have to take that to the administrators and voice our opinions."
The debate was concluded with a video presented by SGA encouraging students to vote.
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