With Student Government elections less than a week away, presidential candidates went head to head Thursday night during Sigma Chi fraternity’s second ever “Greek” debate. A packed house made up of mostly Greek community members filled a dimly lit room in the Sigma Chi house for the public debate. The questions focused on issues facing the Greek community, which comprises 14 percent of the student body. Presidential candidate Dixon McMakin, SG director of athletics, and presidential candidate Colorado Robertson, Senate speaker, targeted each other. Inter-fraternity Council President John-Michael Early organized the debate and asked the candidates what they thought is the biggest problem facing the Greek community. McMakin said the biggest problem facing the Greek community is the aftermath of parties. He said he wants to bring the parties back to campus and work with facility services to ease the clean-up process. Robertson also said he thinks McMakin has the right idea and said he thinks parties on campus are one important part of a student’s college experience. The candidates’ running mates took the stage during round three. McMakin’s running mate, Kristen Oaks, senator for the College of Agriculture, asked Robertson how his ticket plans will save students money. Robertson said he plans to pay for things by recruiting corporate sponsors. “We will think outside the box to make sure things are paid for,” Robertson said. Robertson’s running mate, Shannon Bates, mass communication junior, asked McMakin if he felt a completely Greek ticket was necessary to run for office. McMakin said his ticket is not aiming to run on a “full Greek dictatorship.” During round four, one student told McMakin he has heard him make “comments” and “sneers” to students. The student asked McMakin whether he will show respect to the student body if elected. McMakin said he apologizes if he seems disrespectful. “I promise, if I show disrespect to somebody, my mom will kick my butt,” McMakin said. The debate closed with a “spirit competition” where the Dixon-Oaks ticket stole the crowd’s applause.
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