Student Candidates Hold Open Forum

By Broadside Asst. News Editor Rebecca Fulton

The twelve Student Government candidates for president and vice president were invited to attend an event in Presidents Park titled Bring Your Own Ballot. The question and answer type forum was held on Friday, March 28 with most of the presidential candidates making an appearance.

The candidates were given the opportunity to discuss many campus issues including parking and transportation, dining and Mason spirit.

Each pair of president and vice president running mates were given a ten minute window to explain their platform, ideas, and overall goals of their campaign. After the ten minutes were up the candidates were able to answer minimal questions with the majority of the questions answered after the presentations.

After all candidates had explained what they believed and why they should be voted for the discussion turned into an informal luncheon with refreshments and mingling. The candidates spoke with the students who attended, getting to know their peers on a face to face level.

“I was surprised the candidates had different idea on topics I never really considered before,” computer science and math major Brian Stoepker said. “None of them said, ‘We’re going to lower tuition,’ or anything pretty unlikely like that, so that’s good.”
The presidential elections will take place on April 15 and 16 through Mason e-mail.