For the first time in recent years of Student Government Association elections, vice presidential candidates had to stand solo and debate their respective slates and platforms.
The vice presidential debate for SGA candidates took place Tuesday evening in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center Ballroom.
The debate was led by debate coordinator Zach Hartley and current SGA vice president Heather Closson.
The candidates, Alexa Gates representing Cardinal United, Nick Wilkey representing Fusion and Chloe Anagnos of Spark, were questioned on items ranging from their leadership style to their opinions on the other slates’ platform points.
Cardinal United was challenged by both Wilkey and Anagnos on the validity of their positions regarding a Purple Loop and cellphone charging stations.
Gates was questioned about a cellphone charger initiative that failed in Senate this year.
Gates assured, to the sound of snaps from Cardinal United’s supporters, that the cellphone charging stations have the support of students.
“Through discussions with students we felt [cellphone charging stations are] important to continue to try and get pushed through. When we visit organizations, it’s something they are interested in having,” Gates said.
Gates addressed the allegation that a Purple Loop would conflict with the contract between Ball State and MITS, saying it would not be violated.
“MITS is there to service campus to get to the city of Muncie,” she said. “If the [loop’s] purpose was to get students to campus, then it wouldn’t be an issue.”
Part of Fusion’s initiative to boost attendance at athletic games includes changing policy to allow the sale of alcohol at football games, something Gates called a weak platform.
Wilkey defended the issue and said Fusion has started the conversation with administrators. He said 21 universities around the country, including two from the Mid-American Conference, Bowling Green State University and Akron University, serve alcohol at football games.
“Some schools make over a million dollars selling alcohol,” Wilkey said. “I think it’s a great way to boost athletic attendance. It has to go through a long process but I do think it is worth our time. A lot of alumni would show up for this.”
Gates also questioned Spark’s platform point regarding pride and the metrics that can be used to measure the initiative’s success.
Anagnos said the pride point is meant to revitalize Ball State traditions that have been forgotten.
“When we talked to alumni and the director of the athletic association, we talked about providing traditions like Benny’s Birthday Bash, to pay tribute to the generosity of the Ball brothers,” Anagnos said. “We’re also interested in having pregame football parties in the fall and bringing alumni to events.”
Hartley said it was interesting to see vice presidential candidates debate without the guidance of their presidential partner.
“I think we have three very qualified candidates but I was disappointed they didn’t have more to say about their own position[s] and the positions of the other slates, and why they are the best candidate for the job,” he said.
Hartley said while the debate finished off strong, the candidates chose not to rebuttal or challenge each other at first.
“I was disappointed with the way it started,” Hartley said. “This is a debate and we weren’t debating. It cost an arm and a leg to get them to talk. Where is the sense of urgency, the go-getter attitude, do you want to win or not?”
