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WSA presidential candidates debate by Anna Talman Assistant News Less than twenty-four hours before the polls opened Monday morning in the Wesleyan Student Assembly (WSA) election, the four presidential candidates confronted campus issues in a debate sponsored by the Argus. The candidates vying for the presidency are Camille Zahniser ’04, Joey Wender ’03, Benjamin Flynn ’03 and Matt Ferrisi ’03. Following brief statements from Argus Editor in Chief Bobby Zeliger ’03 and current WSA President Matt Fox ’03, each candidate made short personal statements and responded to questions from Argus staff and the audience. Campus dining, fraternities, campus safety, and student space concerns figured prominently among the issues debated. All four candidates spoke of improving campus dining options and service. The University’s contract with ARAMARK, the food services provider on campus, expires this year. “I can discuss dining issues at length, but I won’t,” Zahniser said, deciding to keep her remarks to the time allotted. She has been a member of the WSA Dining Review Committee this year. “The primary concern is improving quality,” Zahniser said, noting a dearth of vegetarian and vegan options. “We all know that ARAMARK sucks; the food sucks on campus,” Wender said. He suggested that introducing competition, reducing the mandatory buy-in, and increasing variety in the system could improve the situation. Ferrisi added that “there are some practical issues that need to be addressed,” citing adding more food options and trying to work with ARAMARK to improve service quality. Flynn said that he felt that the main problem with Campus Dining was a lack of options, especially for underclassmen. Wender has been on the WSA for three years, Zahniser for two. Ferrisi, who also ran for the WSA presidency in 2001, has logged a year of experience. Flynn, who has never served on the assembly, said that he hopes to bring a new attitude to the 37-member body. As a member of the varsity crew team, Flynn said that he hoped to better represent the population of athletes on campus. “We’re students here too,” he said. The candidates also discussed the role that fraternities on campus play in the social life of the school, and how they might serve to change that role. Ferrisi, a DKE brother, also serves on the Greek Council. “The Greek Council has gone from relative obscurity to being a major force on campus…fraternities can play a positive role on this campus,” he said. The other candidates concurred, mentioning the importance of Greek organizations on campus. Flynn praised frats, but said that he would campaign to give sororities rights to houses on campus. Following a string of crimes on campus, Public Safety and the WSA organized a public forum to discuss safety. The candidates were also asked to discuss any changes they felt needed to be made in campus safety. “I think we have enough campus safety,” Flynn said. “Safety isn’t a huge issue.” Other candidates disagreed. “Campus safety is a huge issue,” Zahniser said. “Last year I was never scared to walk home alone; now, I am.” Wender, who has previously chaired the Student Affairs Committee of the WSA and currently serves on the Student Budget Committee, agreed. “Safety is central to this campus…people need to feel safe on their campus,” he said. Ferrisi suggested increasing shuttle and escort service, and the number of blue-light phones on campus. “There needs to be a more pervasive attitude of safety on campus,” Ferrisi said. Each candidate felt that he or she could bring something special to the role of WSA President. All candidates mentioned student space concerns with the ’92 Theater closing for renovation next year as an important issue the WSA will have to tackle. Zahniser, currently the chair of the WSA’s Finance and Facilities Committee, spoke of making the WSA more of a proactive body. “There’s a lot more the WSA can do,” she said. Zahniser’s platform includes introducing WSA President office hours, setting up a fund for dorm improvements, such as adding a kitchen and entertainment options to lounges and continueing her work to improve dining options on campus. Wender mentioned his dedication to the University. “I love Wesleyan….I think that it’s a wonderful place, but I think it could be better,” he said. Both Ferrisi and Flynn felt that their differences from the other candidates made them stand out. “I can reach out to the entire spectrum of students,” Ferrisi said. Ferrisi’s platform includes improving late-night dining options, maintaining student voice on the Student Judicial Board and Honor board and working to improve the social scene on campus. “I take a lot of pride in that the issues on my signs differ a lot from the other candidates’,” Flynn said. His issues included trying to make the campus more open to diverse viewpoints including those coming from the conservative side, addressing issues of financial aid and moving lectures that take place in the afternoon, which overlap with sports practices, to a time when athletes can attend. This has been a very highly publicized race, with all four candidates sending mass emails, posting signs and campaigning with different student organizations. “I’m sure you’ve seen my platform,” Wender said, “I’ve postered ad infinitum this week.” His platform includes reforming dining services, installing a University Pub and maintaining student representation on the honor board. Matt Fox, current president of the WSA, concluded the debate with a brief statement advocating approving the increase in the College Body Tax, which is also on the ballot this week. “Tell your friends that when they vote to vote yes on the College Body Tax,” he said. The College Body Tax funds the Student Budget Committee, which allocates money to student groups on campus. The WSA election began Monday morning, and continues until Friday, April 26. Students of all class years may vote online at www.wesleyan.edu/wsa/voting. |
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