DSG Candidates square off in student debates; vote next week

See the candidate's platformsThe start of Brian Casey's tenure as president next year, renovation of the Lilly Center and internationalization were big topics at Sunday night's debate of student government candidates, as 14 students vying for five offices shared their visions for improving DePauw.

All candidates spoke of their qualifications to serve and their desire to reflect students' concerns, but when it came to naming those concerns they felt were most important, the debaters brought up a wide range of issues.

Several candidates mentioned the new possibilities the University has for change when Casey replaces current President Robert G. Bottoms next year.

"Since we are entering a new chapter in DePauw's history, it is more important than ever that students' voices be heard," said senior Joshua Perez, who is running for alumni member to the board of trustees.

The rising cost of tuition was a concern that two other board of trustees candidates, seniors Cathryn Richter and Hilary Blake, said they hoped to address if elected.

Blake, Perez, Richter and senior Clay Taylor are the four candidates for graduate member to the board of trustees. Fellow seniors Haley O'Brian, Liz Tassell and Ted Tubekis are running for graduate member to the alumni board.

Junior Eleese Dorsey, the only candidate for vice president of academic affairs, said one of the changes she would advocate if elected would be adding a diversity competency to the graduation requirements, similar to the Q, W, and S competencies currently in place.

During the debate among president and executive vice president candidates, who run together as a ticket, concerns about the Lilly Center's current facilities were voiced. Junior Joy Collins, who is running for vice president on a ticket with junior Tom Walz for president, said the exercise equipment is largely geared toward heavy weight training.

Juniors Alycia Keller and Jon Ferguson, who are running together for president and vice president respectively, said improving the Lilly Center would be one of their focuses if elected. Keller said that the center "falls far below other benchmark institutions."

The ticket of juniors Matt Jennings and Matt Newill, running for president and vice president respectively, emphasized the importance of creating strong communication between administration and students.

"We must create a government that is fluid and accountable," Newill said. "We must create a dialogue to allow students to communicate effectively with the administration."

Walz and Collins also said improving communication goes hand-in-hand with improving student government, to make the system more "representative and efficient." Each mentioned that an improved student government Web site could boost participation and openness.

There are currently no candidates for vice president of finance or vice president or student affairs. Voting on the University's e-services Web site is open from March 19 to 21.