The debate’s structure allows each executive board candidate time to present their platform by means of answering questions from a panel. The four-person panel was comprised of Father Stark, S.J., Vice President of Mission and Ministry, Mona Hicks, Dean of Students, Matt Ryan, current SGA President, and David Young, Operations Manager in the Student Involvement Center.

The event started with introductory speeches from presidential candidate Blake Exline from the Limitless ticket, followed by Audeo’s presidential candidate Alexander Salazar. Exline distinguished between what SGA is now versus what it has the potential to be. He said he hopes SGA will empower students and serve as a resource that is not intimidating. He stressed that it is important to him to make life for students better and that as President of SGA, he would focus on the efficiency of the campus mail system and increase campus-wide sustainability efforts.

“I may not know yet all the ways that student government can better our

university community, but I do know that I intend to find every avenue for improvement, making sure that students, administrators, faculty, and staff know that SGA is there for them,” Exline said.

Salazar began by voicing his agreement with Exline’s statements and the “limitless” potential of SGA. He stated that, “the crux of the issue comes in inspiring each and every one of you [students].”

Although students may forget that SGA exists to represent them, SGA cannot forget its devotion to the students, Salazar said.

“I want you to get angry if you are angry about something. I want you to support with conviction those things you live for.” Salazar said.

Up next were the vice-presidential candidates who each responded to two questions relevant to their desired position. Vidur Sharma, running unopposed for VP of Finance on the Limitless ticket, stated that the role of the Finance committee is to stay objective and consistent.

“The amount of money remaining in the Student Activity Fee should not be a factor in determining whether the money a group is requesting is an unfair burden or not,” he said.

Sharma also acknowledged “the money is not limitless.” The panel posed a question relevant to candidate for VP of Student Organizations, Keilah Johnson, regarding the controversial CSO de-chartering process attempted last semester.

“The de-chartering process was not something meant to make students fear SGA or be angry with us,” she said.

Johnson expressed that before de-chartering is reconsidered, there needs to be a thorough study of the 151 organizations on campus.

The final VP position questioned the sole contested VP position, International Affairs. Yiqing Huang, of the Limitless ticket, highlighted her plan to create maps extending beyond SLU’s campus for international students to adjust to the city. Feeling comfortable in the city, she believes, will help international students cope with culture shock and interact more on campus. Bo Peng, from the Audeo ticket, emphasized the issues he sees with miscommunication. He expressed his interest to improve communication among international and local students.

Peng is also concerned with the English as a Second Language program. From his observations, Peng sees international students that are stuck in a stalemate in their ESL courses and unable to start on core requirements classes. The debates concluded with a four-round questioning of the two presidential candidates. Exline and Salazar outlined their experiences that will contribute to their success if elected president.

Both presidential candidates again mentioned the initiatives outlined in their introductory speeches.

Exline said that besides increasing speed of the mail system, he aims to “push for student concerns that are larger than what we think we can actually, or tangibly make changes to.” He said, “a united student body can really make changes to a university even if we don’t believe we can.”

In addition to encouraging student involvement, Salazar hopes to work on providing more scholarships for students.

“The most important thing we come here [to SLU] for is the experience of others and an education.” If money issues are preventing students from attending SLU, Salazar said, he wants that to change.

Despite the limited candidate selection, some students feel that the election will still be exciting.

“I’m sure any of them would be perfect for a seat on the E-Board of SGA,” Junior Rodney Pruitt said of the candidates.

Despite slim student attendance, students thought the debate was constructive.

“It is definitely always good to see student leaders stepping up to the plate,” Pruitt said. They asked them some hard questions.”