TigerTV hosted Student Government’s annual debate Monday night in the Holliday Forum to discuss each tickets’ initiatives.
Experience LSU consists of presidential candidate Christian Coleman and vice presidential candidate Ashleigh Pichon. Clay Tufts, the presidential candidate for The Next Step, appeared alongside his running mate Taylor Lambert.
Both tickets had similar initiatives for improvements despite competing for votes.
Each ticket said campus safety is one of their biggest concerns. They both suggested more lighting as a possible solution to the problem.
The tickets also discussed clearing up congestion in line for football games. Tufts suggested a separate line for people with bags, mentioning he wanted to involve more state police to speed up the process.
Tufts and Lambert were also in favor of improving the library. Lambert said she wants to move more desks and computers into the library.
Coleman and Pichon suggested a 24-hour space in the library or possibly at another place on campus.
Current SG President John Woodard, a member of the Board of Supervisors, asked how the candidates would maintain a relationship with the board.
Student representatives on the board are chosen among the various student body presidents throughout the LSU system. Once a student body president serves on the board, representatives from that institution are ineligible for two years, meaning the next SG president would be ineligible to sit on the board.
Tufts said the problems at the University are also state issues, while Coleman said he would like to bring legislation from the University to the Capitol.
Both candidates agreed it is SG’s job to end the vulgarity from the student section, and the University should not place blame solely on the Greek section.
Coleman suggested addressing the profanity problem during S.T.R.I.P.E.S to instruct students of the correct chants early.
Coleman said he wants to move Groovin’ on the Grounds to Tiger Stadium. When asked how it would decrease costs, Coleman said he wanted it mainly to be a better experience.
Marketing sophomore George Bevan said he believes this SG debate wasn’t any different from previous years.
“The candidates were just avoiding questions and highlighting their bread and butter initiatives,” Bevan said.
Bevan also said he felt the audience was biased.
“The only people that come or care about them are people who already know who they are voting for.”
The videos of each candidate were provided by TigerTV’s Jaclynne Bedrossian. Visit TigerTV for more information.

Gallery • 6 Photos

Lauren Duhon

Student Government candidates and a panel of students gathered to discuss possible initiatives Monday, March 17, 2014 during the 2014 Student Government Debate held in the Holliday Forum.