2008 Woodie Awards
Students learn issues through ASI debate
Caitlin Madrigal
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: News
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"We see the candidates' signs up all over campus," said fourth year student Diana De Leon. "It is a matter of finding out what their opinion is."
That is exactly why the Center for Student Leadership, Involvement and Service (CSLIS) put on the first-ever debates between candidates for ASI officers last Monday and Tuesday.
"I enjoyed it," said freshman Emily Chambers, regarding the debate in the Zinfandel cafeteria. "I didn't know much about the candidates before, but now I feel I know more information about them."
On April 7 and 8, students gathered for a chance to hear what ASI candidates had to say about a variety of issues and questions asked by Elections Commissioner Christina Wellhouser, as well as questions from individual students.
"Currently clubs use only 50 percent of funds given by ASI," said Wellhouser in one round of the debate. "How can elected candidates encourage students to use more?"
"If elected, I'd arrange for clubs to regularly meet with their accountant to check up on the status of their finances," proposed VP of Finance candidate Nicolette Margi.
"I think talking to the clubs and letting them know that their funds expire after a year would help," explained VP of Finance candidate Nick Jones. "Those funds do not roll over."
Wellhouser proposed another important question about the recent controversy over blood drives and whether the FDA policy is discriminating toward gay men or not.
"I will have to find out the student opinion and represent that to the fullest. I'm not a scientist or doctor," Margi said. "But if scientists or statistics say that a certain way to approach it is [safer], I will have to support that."
"I don't know if it's discrimination, but it's bad science," said presidential candidate Jonathan T. White, with a hint of sarcasm. "All I know is this: if a woman has sex with a man with a virus…she receives a 12 month deferral for donating blood. If a man has sex with another man with a virus…they are banned from donating blood for life. I don't know how we can see that as anything but discrimination."
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