Candidates Present Platforms, Question Others

By Broadside Staff Writer Bobby Dongu
Photo by Broadside Photography Editor Courtney Erland

In an audience largely comprised of the candidates’ supporters, presidential and vice presidential hopefuls debated campus issues, including parking, the proposed creation of a Greek row and improvements to dining services, last Thursday in the Johnson Center atrium.

The candidates kicked off the event by introducing themselves and explaining their positions on the issues.

Presidential candidate and current student vice president Ijeoma Nwatu said that her campaign is taking a different approach by running on a vision rather than a platform.

“A platform is a bunch of points,” said Nwatu, whose running mate is President of Mason Ambassadors Chris Hild. “But the vision of a university is to grow and expand, and we want to be a part of that. We’re not politicians; we don’t need to stand on points.”

When asked about the quality of food at Mason, presidential candidate Zack Golden said that the food has improved, but he would like to see some changes.

“We would like to replace Sub Connection with something like Quizno’s,” said Golden, who is running with Claire Forman.

Vice presidential candidate Ravi Udeshi, who is running with Nicole Kukuruda, expressed his concern with the parking situation.

“I think everyone knows how bad parking has gotten this year,” said Udeshi, who wants students who carpool to receive parking discounts. “I’m a commuter student, and when this campaign started, I committed to carpooling twice a week.”

Candidates Jacob Rehpelz and Bailey Hall were last minute entries into the debate.

Rehpelz mentioned that their desire to run stemmed from “representing the average Mason student.”

Presidential hopeful Anna Godlewski pointed out her experience in student government and in the Greek community.

Godlewski, who is running with Katie Bowen, expressed her desire to build to start a carpooling program that would involve students renting a car for free. She also supports the creation of a Greek row that would house Mason’s fraternities and sororities.

“Our whole campaign is based upon reality,” said Godlewski, who noted she was instrumental in bringing Halal food to Mason. “We have the support of the administration’s key members... We’re the only pair that can ensure everything that we promise you will happen within one year.”

Some of Godlewski’s comments drew criticism from the candidates.

Presidential candidate Alex Innes, who is running with Christine McGuire, expressed his concern about the feasibility of Greek row housing which he said the university has not supported in their 10-year plan.

“I justify my promise because the goal is to get it on the 10-year plan,” said Godlewski, who noted that fraternities and sororities can build their own Greek row if the university does not contribute.

In addition, Nwatu called on Godlewski to acknowledge others who contributed in a project that brought Halal food to Mason.

“Please don’t take credit for something that even if you did, others worked on too... they should also get the same respect and credit,” Nwatu said.

The debate took a personal turn at times, with candidates questioning their competition’s desire and capability to hold office.

During the segment when the candidates fielded questions from each other, Nwatu asked McGuire about her decision to leave a student government project that she led.

“I felt that the way student government was going wasn’t in the right direction,” McGuire said. “I felt like I was an event planner. That wasn’t what I wanted.”

Godlewski told Hild that he needs support from the three branches of student government to be a successful vice president.

“You do not have that,” Godlewski said.

Elections for student body president and vice president will be held on April 15-16.