SouthernUniversity Student Government Association presidential candidates DeionDorsett, Rodney Junior, Justin McCorkle and Alvin Woods urged the students tovote for them at a debate Tuesday in the Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-BrownMemorial Student Union.
Firststating platforms, Dorsett, junior class senator, said, “I am a student justlike you. I have the same dissatisfaction with the SGA as you.”
Going onthe platform of 100 percent loyalty to students, catering meal cards to fiteach student and a working volunteer system, Dorsett promised to put the”student” back in student government.
Juniorpresented a platform, which included making the SGA office more inclusive ofthe students, providing better registration procedures and offering more SGArun tutoring programs to assist students who need academic help.
“Even ifyou don’t vote, for me, get out and vote,” Junior said in his openingstatements.
McCorkle, juniorclass president, proposed increasing SGA visibility in the community and aroundcampus, continuing the Lacumba III Project and increasing student bodyparticipation in SGA activities and initiatives.
“I’mwilling to fight for you,” McCorkle said to the audience. “The
JaguarNation is about to go through a renaissance.”
Seniorclass president Alvin Woods said he wants to “raise the bar” at Southern
University.
”I’m going to be straight forward,”Woods started, “I have a seven-point system program that will enhance studentlife.”
Hisseven-point program includes campus security and two programs entitled CampusLeaders Against Crime and Students Speak Up!
When askedhow they would communicate significant information with the student bodyDorsett replied, “I will send student representatives to the board ofsupervisors; we will use the magazine and newspaper to spread the word to allstudents.”
Woodsresponded, “There will be a SGA pamphlet called, ‘Did You Know” that will bedistributed every month. I will get the message out to all students.”
LatricePinkins, managing editor of the Southern DIGEST asked candidates,
“How doyou all feel about the endeavors being made to raise funds for the Lacumba IIIproject, when there are so many other problems plaguing the student body e.g.poor housing facilities, excessive potholes and lack of parking spaces. How do you plan toaddress these problems?”
Callingfor patience, McCorkle stressed attacking one project at a time.
Opposingthe Lacumba III project, Woods said, “If we put as much love behind housingproblems as we do Lacumba, things will get better.”
McCorkle,who had to leave due to a family emergency, was not able to continue on withthe debate.
When askedwhat was their most important issue, Junior said,
“Unity, abetter bond with students and the administration. I want to see more interclassmingling.”
Stressingthe importance of campus security, Woods said, “My main concern goes out to theladies when they are forced to walk from classes in the dark.”
NilesHaymer, former SGA president 1999-2000, asked the candidates how they proposedto make meal cards flexible.
Dorsettreplied, “The plan is simple, we will look at other HBCUs who are smaller anddeal with less income and see what they are doing.”
Once thepanel finished their questioning, the floor was opened to audience members whohad questions.
When askedwhy money is being funded into a radio station when other things need to befixed, Woods, a mass communication major responded.
“As a masscommunication major, there is a lack of educational outlets for our major. Thiswill enhance the learning aspect of the students.”
He added,”We will have an Internet-based radio which is cheaper.”
Anotherstudent, DJ Boone, asked how were they going to make SGA more productive.Junior said he would make the dissection between friends and business, ensuringthe maximum potential of the office.
Dorsettreplied, “Qualification over association; a president needs to know how to drawthe line. If I am elected, I will create a panel that will appoint the cabinetso the SGA won’t become a clique.”
MichelleAustin, a senior architecture major from Chicago said, “I felt that the debatewas very informative. It answered questions that I had of some of thecandidates.”
In theirclosing remakes, Junior stressed unity, “We need to join together to become oneunit instead of many organizations.”
Woodsreplied, “I will raise the bar, by being a concerned student who cares aboutyou.”
In ahumbling mood, Dorsett thanked the audience for supporting
Southern,the event, and stressed how he was here for the students.
CurrentSGA President Author Monroe enjoyed the debate.
“I thoughtit was interesting. Lisa Vanderford and Latrice Pinkins asked really importantquestions. From what I saw, you should have gotten a lot of answers from eachcandidate. The game’s not over, now it’s really anybody’s game.”
