Three of the students running for Student Body president had their say Wednesday in the third and final debate hosted by The Independent Florida Alligator and UF's College Republicans. Candidates were publicly questioned in Turlington Plaza with the aim of educating students before the Feb. 24 and Feb. 25 Student Government elections.
Candidates from the Orange and Blue Party, the Progress Party and the Unite Party all offered suggestions to improve issues affecting UF students. The Keg Party did not participate due to conflicting class schedules.
Candidates offered solutions that may aid with increasing SG's transparency and accountability after the private e-mail scandal between top SG officials last fall.
Progress Party candidate, Ben Dictor, and Orange and Blue Party candidate, Mark McShera, advocated a new and improved SG Web site, which would allow Senate voting records to become available to students.
Both candidates said this would allow students to know if their senators are representing their interests.
"Right now we can't hold them accountable to their actions," Dictor said.
McShera agreed, adding SG's exclusivity has added to students' political apathy.
"If students can't see what's going on, why should they care about Student Government?" he said.
Another highlight of the debate was when candidates addressed the Student Body president's role as an acting member of the Board of Trustees, UF's highest governing body.
All three candidates agreed this responsibility should not be taken lightly.
"You have to voice the needs and concerns of students," said Jordan Johnson, the Unite Party candidate, "returning the value back to the students as quickly and effectively as possible."
