First things first, if you have the opportunity, please thank election commissioner Corey Cooling and moderator Linh Ta for putting on an excellent debate last night! All three tickets represented themselves well and I was very pleased to see a large crowd of students in attendance. Thank you to anyone who submitted a question for the candidates, whether it was via Facebook, Twitter or in-person at the debate.
Each ticket was asked a specific question prepared beforehand, with the other two tickets being allotted time to answer the question as well, before opening up for the floor to student questions. So how'd it go?
1st Question: "Your campaigning style has caught the eye of many people on campus, with the handing out of condoms and your most recent drag video. Some people however may argue that it's a "get-up" and that it's unprofessional. How can you prove to us that both are not just attention seeking, and that you will be able to represent the student body in a professional manner?"
David and Katie
- The condoms were something practical and useful, and highlighted an important area of their platform.
- The video was a light-hearted and honest attempt to express their passions and ideas, especially in terms of gender identity, but they can understand if people did not like it.
- But they do feel that a clear double standard does exist and that no one would be asking these kinds of questions if they were wearing gender norm clothing.
- They want everyone to know that they take themselves, their gender identities and the voices of all students seriously.
- "I spent half my life in the closet, I'm not going back in." - David
Tom and Blake
- They both take this job and this opportunity very seriously.
- They've been involved and work with a number of different student organizations and believe that their experience outside of NISG will help them represent all of the students on this campus.
- Both of them have worked hard on their platform and will continue to keep students informed on their goals and ideas for the future of the university.
KaLeigh and Alicia
- They commended David and Katie for their video and complimented it as a unique approach to their campaign.
2nd Question: "Inclusivity is one of three important areas of your platform. How, specifically, do you intend to help make UNI and NISG a more inclusive community?"
Tom and Blake
- Diversity has become such an overused word that it leaves a lot of different student groups out, and they want everyone to feel included.
- They are passionate about helping the LGBT community, veterans and students with disabilities.
- They talked about NISG sponsoring Unity Week and holding workshops where our differences are celebrated, rather than focusing on the prejudices.
- They would like to see immediate funding available to student organizations hosting events where accommodations for students with disabilities are needed.
David and Katie
- Katie talked about her experiences as a Resident Assistant in Campbell Hall and how her job is basically to build a sense of community.
- What sets them apart is their passion for this campus. Katie mentioned increasing pride through athletics, explaining that part of the reason she came to UNI was because it was the smallest of the three state schools but still had a prominent athletics program.
- David talked about automatic funding for events in need of disabilities accommodations, similar to Tom and Blake.
KaLeigh and Alicia
- Alicia talked about how her experience as Director of Diversity and Student Life and her previous role in the lower cabinet has informed her belief that diversity is a wide range of differences.
- Alicia posed a rebuttal question for Tom and Blake: Inclusion refers to proactive behaviors that make students feel welcome. Are you not distancing yourself from the problem by focusing on inclusivity and distancing yourself from diversity?
Tom and Blake's Response: Diversity has a negative stigma, and it only makes students think of a few groups. They want to steer away from that and get students thinking about inclusivity, rather than the same old diversity. That is not to say diversity isn't important. We are all different, but we all have something in common too. That is where inclusivity comes in.
3rd Question: "Much of your platform appears to be a continuation of the current administration's goals. What specific new ideas are you bringing to the table next year?"
KaLeigh and Alicia
- They do have new ideas, but will concede that most of their ideas are focused on expanding and improving what they've seen from previous administrations
- Part of why KaLeigh is running again is because she has seen too many ideas and initiatives lost in the shuffle of a transition between administrations. They believe their NISG Strategic Plan will help alleviate the complications of transitioning from one administration to another.
- They want to see their goals and initiatives to reach their fullest potential.
- Their platform is not extensive, but they know what they want to do and how to do it
David and Katie
- They are both transparent, both about themselves and their identities, and that is something they'd like to carry into office, because student voices are most important to them.
- They cited the Student Voice App and the Presidential Petition as examples of how they intend to accomplish their goal of providing a voice for students.
Tom and Blake
- Their platform has a lot of new ideas that they'd like to try and they're not interested in doing the same old stuff, because there is always room for improvement.
- Both cited their experience in NISG and their relationships with different student organizations and faculty members across campus as reasons why they can succeed as a one-term administration.
There were several student questions, but I won't go through them all here for the sake of time and length (I believe there is an audio recording of the debate and I'm hoping to be able to upload it soon, so those who could not attend or watch the debate via live streaming can hear the entirety of the debate for themselves. I'll keep you posted!). Overall, I thought it was a fantastic debate, with no clear winner. I thought each of the tickets represented themselves very well and the debate helped better define each of the tickets in terms of how they're presenting themselves to the students. KaLeigh and Alicia are selling continuity and experience, Tom and Blake are all about experience and new ideas and David and Katie are a new direction for NISG that will place an emphasis on voicing the opinions of students.
There were some interesting moments in the debate, like when one student question asked the candidates which part of their platform was most unrealistic and why they chose to include it. Tom and Blake answered with the automatic light switches in each building, David and Katie responded with open housing and bathrooms across campus and KaLeigh and Alicia admitted it would be the additional late night run of the Panther Shuttle. Quite a few of the questions simply called upon the candidates to reiterate sections of their platform, but I think even those questions allowed us to see how familiar the candidates were with their platforms and whether or not they really even knew what they were talking about.
Some recurring themes from the debate were the stigma surrounding NISG as intimidating and unwelcoming to those who are not involved, supporting students and ensuring that their voice is heard in the university matters that affect them and the overall goal of making UNI and NISG more diverse and, in turn, inclusive communities. It is clear that all of the candidates are aware that NISG, in the wake of last year's program cuts and the enusing controversy, is in a position now where it is becoming increasingly insulated from the rest of the campus and this needs to change, sooner rather than later.
Closing Remarks
David and Katie
- Change is good, and they have a vision for the future of UNI.
- They are passionate about students and want student government to be open to all students, especially the minorities whose voices have been marginalized.
- They've been working towards these goals since they stepped on this campus.
- You can choose the same or you can choose something different.
Tom and Blake
- They love UNI and they want all students, both present and future, to have the same amazing experience that they've had at this university.
- They want to serve students and work with the faculty and administration.
- They want to reach out to students and get their opinions because students are what make this campus great. Students are what make this campus home.
KaLeigh and Alicia
- They want to be a voice for students, but we can only extend our hand and it is up to you to take it. Everyone needs to work together.
- Their platform is feasible and achievable, with an emphasis on quality over quantity.
- Their passion for the university has grown through their work with NISG and they want every student to feel involved and informed.
And there you have it. Who won? I can't quite decide, to be honest, and part of me feels compelled to refrain from tabbing any of the candidates as a loser in this debate. Each ticket took the stage and laid out what their campaign is all about, and I'm not sure what more could've been asked of them. I'm sure you could find nitpicks in how some of the candidates handled themselves (i.e. Tom and Blake standing up for each question), but overall I was satisfied with how the tickets presented their arguments.
What about you? For those of you who saw the debate, what do you think? Who impressed you the most? Let's hear it in the comments!
Each ticket was asked a specific question prepared beforehand, with the other two tickets being allotted time to answer the question as well, before opening up for the floor to student questions. So how'd it go?
1st Question: "Your campaigning style has caught the eye of many people on campus, with the handing out of condoms and your most recent drag video. Some people however may argue that it's a "get-up" and that it's unprofessional. How can you prove to us that both are not just attention seeking, and that you will be able to represent the student body in a professional manner?"
David and Katie
- The condoms were something practical and useful, and highlighted an important area of their platform.
- The video was a light-hearted and honest attempt to express their passions and ideas, especially in terms of gender identity, but they can understand if people did not like it.
- But they do feel that a clear double standard does exist and that no one would be asking these kinds of questions if they were wearing gender norm clothing.
- They want everyone to know that they take themselves, their gender identities and the voices of all students seriously.
- "I spent half my life in the closet, I'm not going back in." - David
Tom and Blake
- They both take this job and this opportunity very seriously.
- They've been involved and work with a number of different student organizations and believe that their experience outside of NISG will help them represent all of the students on this campus.
- Both of them have worked hard on their platform and will continue to keep students informed on their goals and ideas for the future of the university.
KaLeigh and Alicia
- They commended David and Katie for their video and complimented it as a unique approach to their campaign.
2nd Question: "Inclusivity is one of three important areas of your platform. How, specifically, do you intend to help make UNI and NISG a more inclusive community?"
Tom and Blake
- Diversity has become such an overused word that it leaves a lot of different student groups out, and they want everyone to feel included.
- They are passionate about helping the LGBT community, veterans and students with disabilities.
- They talked about NISG sponsoring Unity Week and holding workshops where our differences are celebrated, rather than focusing on the prejudices.
- They would like to see immediate funding available to student organizations hosting events where accommodations for students with disabilities are needed.
David and Katie
- Katie talked about her experiences as a Resident Assistant in Campbell Hall and how her job is basically to build a sense of community.
- What sets them apart is their passion for this campus. Katie mentioned increasing pride through athletics, explaining that part of the reason she came to UNI was because it was the smallest of the three state schools but still had a prominent athletics program.
- David talked about automatic funding for events in need of disabilities accommodations, similar to Tom and Blake.
KaLeigh and Alicia
- Alicia talked about how her experience as Director of Diversity and Student Life and her previous role in the lower cabinet has informed her belief that diversity is a wide range of differences.
- Alicia posed a rebuttal question for Tom and Blake: Inclusion refers to proactive behaviors that make students feel welcome. Are you not distancing yourself from the problem by focusing on inclusivity and distancing yourself from diversity?
Tom and Blake's Response: Diversity has a negative stigma, and it only makes students think of a few groups. They want to steer away from that and get students thinking about inclusivity, rather than the same old diversity. That is not to say diversity isn't important. We are all different, but we all have something in common too. That is where inclusivity comes in.
3rd Question: "Much of your platform appears to be a continuation of the current administration's goals. What specific new ideas are you bringing to the table next year?"
KaLeigh and Alicia
- They do have new ideas, but will concede that most of their ideas are focused on expanding and improving what they've seen from previous administrations
- Part of why KaLeigh is running again is because she has seen too many ideas and initiatives lost in the shuffle of a transition between administrations. They believe their NISG Strategic Plan will help alleviate the complications of transitioning from one administration to another.
- They want to see their goals and initiatives to reach their fullest potential.
- Their platform is not extensive, but they know what they want to do and how to do it
David and Katie
- They are both transparent, both about themselves and their identities, and that is something they'd like to carry into office, because student voices are most important to them.
- They cited the Student Voice App and the Presidential Petition as examples of how they intend to accomplish their goal of providing a voice for students.
Tom and Blake
- Their platform has a lot of new ideas that they'd like to try and they're not interested in doing the same old stuff, because there is always room for improvement.
- Both cited their experience in NISG and their relationships with different student organizations and faculty members across campus as reasons why they can succeed as a one-term administration.
There were several student questions, but I won't go through them all here for the sake of time and length (I believe there is an audio recording of the debate and I'm hoping to be able to upload it soon, so those who could not attend or watch the debate via live streaming can hear the entirety of the debate for themselves. I'll keep you posted!). Overall, I thought it was a fantastic debate, with no clear winner. I thought each of the tickets represented themselves very well and the debate helped better define each of the tickets in terms of how they're presenting themselves to the students. KaLeigh and Alicia are selling continuity and experience, Tom and Blake are all about experience and new ideas and David and Katie are a new direction for NISG that will place an emphasis on voicing the opinions of students.
There were some interesting moments in the debate, like when one student question asked the candidates which part of their platform was most unrealistic and why they chose to include it. Tom and Blake answered with the automatic light switches in each building, David and Katie responded with open housing and bathrooms across campus and KaLeigh and Alicia admitted it would be the additional late night run of the Panther Shuttle. Quite a few of the questions simply called upon the candidates to reiterate sections of their platform, but I think even those questions allowed us to see how familiar the candidates were with their platforms and whether or not they really even knew what they were talking about.
Some recurring themes from the debate were the stigma surrounding NISG as intimidating and unwelcoming to those who are not involved, supporting students and ensuring that their voice is heard in the university matters that affect them and the overall goal of making UNI and NISG more diverse and, in turn, inclusive communities. It is clear that all of the candidates are aware that NISG, in the wake of last year's program cuts and the enusing controversy, is in a position now where it is becoming increasingly insulated from the rest of the campus and this needs to change, sooner rather than later.
Closing Remarks
David and Katie
- Change is good, and they have a vision for the future of UNI.
- They are passionate about students and want student government to be open to all students, especially the minorities whose voices have been marginalized.
- They've been working towards these goals since they stepped on this campus.
- You can choose the same or you can choose something different.
Tom and Blake
- They love UNI and they want all students, both present and future, to have the same amazing experience that they've had at this university.
- They want to serve students and work with the faculty and administration.
- They want to reach out to students and get their opinions because students are what make this campus great. Students are what make this campus home.
KaLeigh and Alicia
- They want to be a voice for students, but we can only extend our hand and it is up to you to take it. Everyone needs to work together.
- Their platform is feasible and achievable, with an emphasis on quality over quantity.
- Their passion for the university has grown through their work with NISG and they want every student to feel involved and informed.
And there you have it. Who won? I can't quite decide, to be honest, and part of me feels compelled to refrain from tabbing any of the candidates as a loser in this debate. Each ticket took the stage and laid out what their campaign is all about, and I'm not sure what more could've been asked of them. I'm sure you could find nitpicks in how some of the candidates handled themselves (i.e. Tom and Blake standing up for each question), but overall I was satisfied with how the tickets presented their arguments.
What about you? For those of you who saw the debate, what do you think? Who impressed you the most? Let's hear it in the comments!
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