Long-term projects and a book exchange were among the campaign promises during the ASG presidential debates Tuesday and Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. in the College Center.

The candidates are Stephen Emery and Gibron Kraai for president and their running mates Branden Test and Joel Olney, respectively. Each pair sat at a table and responded to prepared questions dealing with issues of resource management and leadership abilities.

“One of the major issues is tuition -– keeping it from going up,” said Emery. He is currently the vice president of ASG and has held other leadership positions, such as president of the Tae Kwon Do Club and vice president of leadership of Rho Theta.
Emery also plans to start projects like a book exchange web site and a clock tower in front of the bookstore. He said there is plenty of room in the student activities budget where money could be set aside for such projects.

Kraai also has plans for the MHCC budget to give back to students, but of a more direct nature in what he referred to as “revolutionary reform.” He shared a plan in which money from parking and speeding tickets given on campus could be used as rewards for people who report crimes like vandalism and car thefts. Another idea he wants to implement as president is require every teacher to have at least one copy of required texts on reserve in the bookstore. He cites his expertise in leadership and organization from the skateboarding DVD he is producing and directing. In reference to the arduous he tasks he performs, he said, “That is my responsibility and I will get the job done.”

Test reprised Kraai’s concern for campus crime levels and suggested the trees and shrubbery around the parking lots be cleared so transgressors have a better chance of getting caught. He is a member of the Student Senate and is SAB representative for the Tae Kwon Do Club. He also expressed a desire for a greater level of school spirit among the students and awareness of programs and events. He said many more things could happen on campus “If we can get more people knowledgeable about what’s happening.”

Olney agreed students need to be more informed and added that they should also be more involved. To help administrators understand student issues, he suggested a group of students from each program be a part of the decision making process for schedules and programs. He also expressed great concern over the campus’ handicap accessibility, stating that is was inconvenient for those who needed to use it. “They might be sitting for half an hour, an hour before someone comes to open the door,” he said.

But aside from all the policy and leadership abilities, the audience was given a chance to submit their own questions, which revealed a more human side to the candidates. When asked why he should be voted for over his opponent, Emery promptly stated, “Well, that’s a loaded question.” And when asked about additional revenue for the college, Kraai cited how our football team fills seats – a football team we don't have. Both sides just laughed and shrugged off the comments.

If the candidates feel they left anything else out, they have a week and a half to let the students know who they are and why they are running before the online elections on April 19 and 20.