From left: Brandon Carroll, presidential candidate for SGA4You, Shane McCarty, vice presidential candidate for SGA4You, Guy Sims, moderator for the SGA debate, interact during last night's debate. McCarty is discoursing on sustainability.
Wednesday night, the 2009-10 executive Student Government Association candidates debated characteristics of a good leader, and the values and goals of each ticket.
Guy Sims, assistant vice president for student affairs, was the moderator for the debate.
"I would like to say welcome to the 2009 Student Government debate," Sims said. "This debate presents you with an opportunity to educate yourself about learn more about the student government candidates."
Sims asked the candidates about the voting process, and said to all students that it is very simple.
"All students should become knowledgeable about the candidates and what they stand for," Sims said. "Voting is easy, so everyone should take the time next week to do so."
The candidates were asked a series of questions throughout the debatae dealing with various topics such as sustainability, vision, and ideas for the upcoming school year.
UnitedSGA and SGA4You are the two tickets competing for the SGA offices next year.
UnitedSGA candidates include Alex Miller, running for President, Kirsten Kube, running for Vice President, Ricardo Boulware, running for Treasurer, and Bobby Thomas, running for Secretary.
SGA4You candidates include Brandon Carroll, running for President, Shane McCarty, running for Vice President, Joey Zakutney, running for Treasurer, and Morgan Bradley, running for Secretary.
As the candidates' debate progressed, an issue that was continually brought up throughout the evening was "what characteristics make a great leader."
UnitedSGA presidential candidate, Alex Miller, said that prior experience plays a big role in what makes a great leader.
"I serve on several leadership roles on campus, so I feel that those roles make me very qualified for this position," Miller said. "I feel that moving up in a leadership position is a natural progression that I feel like I am ready to take on."
Brandon Carroll, SGA4You's presidential candidate, said that he feels that he has the qualifications that would make a great leader.
"I have been involved with student government for two years," Carroll said. "I care, and I am so passionate about the student body of this school. It is all about you. I care about your concerns and your needs, and yes, I feel that I have the credentials for this position, but I am really all about you, and your voice."
Shane McCarty, SGA4You's Vice Presidential candidate, said that all members of the SGA4You ticket work together as a team on their ticket.
"We all have strengths, and we all have weaknesses," McCarty said. "Everyone brings something to the table, something that is unique to them. We play off of each other's talents and weaknesses to make each other stronger."
When the presidential candidates were asked how they would work to bring students together, Carroll and Miller stated their ideas for next year.
"I feel like we do a lot of outreach programs to facilitate to students," Carroll said. " We are coming to you and seeing what you have to say and your voice and what you want to see out of the SGA."
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Wooo go SGA4U
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Great debate guys, it was nice to hear both platforms. I am sticking with the one that has personally inspired me, the one that is most genuine and actively cares. SGA4YOU, great ideas, great work, great intra-team dynamic.
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I am in full support of SGA4YOU now that I have read the summary of the debate (I was unable to make it). I really feel that they are showing that they care about me, my desires, and what will benefit the VT community as a whole.
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I am so pleased to see an election with positive candidate that have the utmost respect for eachother. I hope they continue to run their campaigns with the direction that they have now. They are focusing on students and the issues that are most critical to their lives. Good luck to both tickets! SGA 4 You really blew me away with the scope, depth, and research for their platform (Congrats!).
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Two very well put together tickets and great groups of caring people. I think SGA 4 You came out on top at the end, but I applaud both tickets for the way they handled themselves in the debate.
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I was so impressed by the experience of the candidates on UnitedSGA. Leading an undergraduate student body of over 25,000 students is not something to be taken lightly. It is a big deal - and it requires ALOT of leadership experience. I will certainly be voting for UnitedSGA on March 31st.
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UnitedSGA has the experience and the track record to SERVE YOU. They have done their research and they absolutely know what they are doing. Virginia Tech - make the right choice on March 31st - VOTE UNITEDSGA
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Way to go Alex and Kirsten - you were AWESOME. I TRUST you to lead the student body. UnitedSGA has my vote!
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The debate was great. UnitedSGA came off as VERY cocky! It almost looks like the election is "McCain v. Obama" all over again! All the talk about experience! If you had so much experience, you would've told Kube to wear an appropriate length skirt for a debate. Any good businesswoman or politician knows that physical appearance makes the largest impression! GO SGA4YOU! Your ideas are realistic and plausible. We love you!
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I think that UNITEDSGA was very clear and had a great platform. They are ready to lead us and we must remember that its not about our appearance. How shallow and rude to speak of ones appearance instead of grasping their thoughts. Go UNITEDSGA!
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Miller and Kube expressed their genuine commitment to the University community. By proposing a new 24 hr study facility and the Hokie Connect program, they show that UnitedSGA will serve the interests of all students. I also feel that with their leadership, SGA will be more accessible. They want to show Hokies that each student has a voice and an opportunity to make a difference.
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SGA4You was unbelievable. Walking into the debate, I was unsure on which ticket to support, but after last night, I am 100% supporting SGA4You. It is great to hear that someone will listen to what the students have to say. After last night, I saw that this ticket has the passion, and cares for students. It was so powerful, and I know others will be supporting SGA4You because they want to make Virginia Tech better. GO SGA4You!!
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UnitedSGA did a fantastic job at the debate. They are REAL and GENUINE people who want to serve Virginia Tech tirelessly. While the other ticked SAYS they will listen, UnitedSGA HAS ALREADY LISTENED. They have a BT Bus tracker system on their website, they listened to student suggestions from Extreme Makeover in the fall and are working to implement a 24 hour study facility on campus. I know they will continue to work hard to serve this school - and I know there will actually BE RESULTS. Perhaps if supporters of the other ticket paid more attention to the issues and less attention to the VP's skirt length, they would realize this as well. VOTE UnitedSGA on March 31st.
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SGA4U commentator, leave it to someone making a comment about the election to bring up sexism and appearance! Just like in the presidential election, women should have a larger role in the elections here!
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I am disappointed at the SGA4YOU commentator who felt that it was necessary to attack the female vice presidential candidate on her skirt length. That is absolutely absurd. How dare you comment on an individual who is working so hard to better this University and serve the students? Shame on you.
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UnitedSGA is a ticket made up of dedicated individuals already working on behalf of all students at this University. I am also disappointed at the low attack on skirt length. The presidential/vice presidential candidates for unitedSGA are down to earth, hard working, and more substance than show. Each has and worked and promises to work tirelessly on our behalf. Just check out their website, www.unitedsga.com, and see the real deal.
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After watching the debates again I definitely have to support SGA4You. They have a better platform, seem more down to earth, and are ready to lead. Brandon will definitely work harder than any SGA president to date and will make our school a better place. He is with out a doubt genuine, hardworking, and caring all the qualities everyone wants as a leader.
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