Candidates formally face-off

The words “vote with pride” and “make a positive change” are two phrases that reiterated numerous times. Entering Wednesday’s debate in Chesapeake Room III in the University Union, the sides were similar in support. 

Tigertown P.R.I.D.E held a strong lead on social networking sites with a Facebook group membership of 1,219, approximately 150 members more than Positive Change’s group. Originally scheduled for the Speaker’s Circle, the event was moved indoors due to inclement weather. Moderator and facilitator for the debate, assistant director of student activities Dirron Allen, led the discussion with help from the Election Commission while each executive board ticket presented their platform and responded to questions. Senatorial candidates began with statements for why they would like to be elected but “the main event,” as Allen referred to it as, began with a coin toss. Positive Change presidential candidate Ryan Assadi won the coin toss and deferred the opening statement to “Mr. Graf,” he said referring to Tigertown P.R.I.D.E. presidential candidate Jon Graf.  “Tigertown P.R.I.D.E is a team of individuals built upon values and representation of the campus. These are essential to the diversity of experience and the involvement that we have had as a group collectively is what makes our ticket the perfect SGA exec. Board,” Graf said. “We are a cohesive group who tackles issue with a purpose, respect, integrity, determination and energy that we haven’t seen on this campus before. These guys are great.”

The ticket took the debate opportunity to reveal what they call, “four distinct areas of impact.” The four areas are the day-to-day undergraduate experience, student involvement, impacting the SGA in a way that improves the student body and community wide concerns and outreach, according to Graf. Assadi and his ticket have voiced specific initiatives that are a part of their platform. During Positive Change’s opening statement, Assadi reiterated the five focuses of their campaign.

“This University is ready for change but not change just for the sake of change; calculated positive change that can only be insured through experience, passion and a plan. We want to be your catalyst for positive change by executing five platforms that constitute our mission,” Assadi said. “I challenge all individuals that attend this today to approach this debate with an open mind… and decide who will maximize their time in office.”

Positive Change’s five platforms include rewarding involvement and academic achievement, reforming University policy, extending Towson University’s reach, advancing the SGA and listening to the student’s voice.

During the election season so far, Graf and Tigertown P.R.I.D.E have emphasized values and relationships with students while Assadi and Positive Change have put emphasis on experience and planning. The debate consisted of pre-written questions from the SGA election commission as well as student questions from debate attendees. Orange T-shirts and yellow T-shirts blotched the audience with those that were in support of either ticket. One student asked how each candidate will work with others if their entire ticket is not elected.

“I think voting for the tickets, one or the other, is the best opportunity. It’s these efforts that allow us to make positive changes for Towson,” Positive Change treasurer candidate Ryan Murphy said. Both tickets said that getting their entire ticket elected is a high priority on their list.

“I think it’s really important that I emphasize that these are the five that I want to be the executive board next year, not a split ticket, these five,” Graf said. SGA freshman senator Angie Hong asked the candidates what particular experience was it that made them decide to run for each position. “I knew Towson was my number one choice the minute I took my first tour before I became a freshman here. I am so passionate about this University overall,” Positive Change vice presidential candidate Nicole Schiraldi said. “I put my heart and soul in this school and that’s why I think I would do well coming back to the SGA and coming as vice president.”

Ben Steinberg with Tigertown P.R.I.D.E is contesting Schiraldi’s position as vice president and is the current University Residence Government director of resident advocacy. “I hold myself to a strong moral and ethical code that once you believe you’re above a title is the exact moment you fall below… I do not believe the SGA should define itself by leadership,” Steinberg said. “I believe that active membership of every student organization on this campus is leadership. I think it is a shame to define an organization by leadership. It’s a shame. It’s unfair; I feel very strongly about that.” After roughly two hours of questions and debating, the two tickets gave closing statements. 

“Go with what you know and support positive change. Our experience outside the SGA makes us strong candidates for these positions but our experience within SGA makes us capable of executing the roles of these positions,” Assadi said. “Thank you for taking the first step to committing to positive change.”

Graf was given the last statement after Positive Change. “We’ve been talking the entire time about the values that we have by diversity of our experience, not just being the people in the positions in the SGA dictating the policies,” Graf said. “We are committed to listening to the students… It’s not something we have listed as another thing that we’re going to do. It’s something that we already do and we’ll continue to do because we take pride in our values.”