Candidates for the top positions of Student Government have passively and actively made promises to students to gain their votes on March 9.
At the annual SG debate Thursday in the Holliday Forum of the Journalism Building, candidates were held accountable for their proposed initiatives.
Opening remarks reiterated each campaign’s motto.
Vice presidential candidate Moe Ahsan said “More for LSU” wants to diversify SG.
Presidential candidate Andrew Mahtook told the audience “Here and Now” wants to make tangible changes students can see during their time at the University, no matter how short.
“Make It Matter” wants to create a better relationship between SG and individuals, said vice presidential candidate Wesley Davis.
National Pan-Hellenic Council Vice President Darnell Theriot kicked off the debate, questioning the vice presidential candidates on what SG could do about to provide more scholarships.
Although “Here and Now” vice presidential candidate Hannah Knight said SG would not be able to provide more scholarships, she said her ticket could better inform students through their senior colleges about scholarships available.
Even though increasing scholarships may not happen for “Here and Now,” Mahtook and Knight aim to change the University’s declining minority student population.
Mahtook said he wants to create “programs that can guide and assist students who may be struggling with the transition [to college].”
Ahsan said SG could in fact provide more scholarships. If elected, Ahsan said he would take SG money spent wastefully and create new scholarships. Ahsan said the $24,000 spent to purchase eight picnic tables for Memorial Oak Grove, passed by the SG Senate in fall 2014 was wasteful.
Davis said “Make It Matter” would look to outside firms to create new scholarships.
Student services, such as the UREC’s expansion, also dominated the debate.
Greek Board of Directors Vice President of Administration Caroline Broussard questioned Ahsan about safety during UREC construction. He said informing students about safety would keep students safe.
Knight said updating students on the UREC’s construction and making sure pathways to the entrance are secure will increase safety.
Davis said his ticket wants to install more lighting around the UREC and across campus. Until then, he said he and presidential candidate Helen Frink will distribute reflective stickers to students using the facility at night.
Residence Hall Association President Hope Roberts asked candidates how they could help student smokers cope with the tobacco-free policy.
“We would definitely have smoking areas,” Ahsan said.
Complying with the policy, Knight said SG could partner with the Student Health Center to help smokers kick the habit.
SG President Clay Tufts brought up budget cuts and asked candidates if they would support an increase in student fees.
After discussing his ticket’s platform of constitutionally protecting higher education, Ahsan finally said he would not support an increase.
“I would accept an increase,” Davis said.
Knight said it was a decision she could not make then.

Gallery • 7 Photos

Zoe Geauthreaux

Student Government vice presidential candidate Wesley Davis (Left) and presidential candidate Helen Frink (Right) from the Make it Matter ticket take questions Thursday, March 5, 2015 during the 2015 Student Government Debate held in the Holliday Forum.