Candidates answered specific and unique questions about Kappa Sigma, K-UTE and the personality of their administrations during the final debate for student elections Tuesday.
Ben Lowe and Mike Nelson, president and vice president of the Associated Students of the University of Utah, moderated the debate, asking the candidates from the Elevation and Impact parties questions about their platforms and the challenges ASUU leaders face.
The candidates tried to give the small crowd of mostly party supporters an experience different from the other debates.
AnnMarie Allen, presidential candidate from Elevation, opened by promising to discuss the “things we haven’t said.”
Randall Lloyd, vice presidential candidate from the Impact Party, jokingly threatened to open with a song.
Lowe’s first question was about the Presenter’s Office, a topic that was also discussed in the last debate.
“This has been a concern on a lot of students’ minds,” said Bill Edwards, presidential candidate from Impact. He proposed to use money from ASUU’s development office to support the Presenter’s Office.
Allen said the office was a vital organization and should not be cut.
“The Presenter’s Office is often seen as the face of ASUU,” she said. “They know what they do, and they do it well.”
She also said students do not need to go into ASUU to benefit from the Presenter’s Office, unlike the other boards.
The candidates also discussed the funding that student radio station K-UTE 1620 AM receives. Although both parties said K-UTE was important, neither expressed significant support for the station.
“[K-UTE] should be treated as a student organization,” Allen said. “It’s not an effective way of using student fees.”
“It’s very important that when students pay a student fee, they’re receiving it back,” Edwards said. “I think it’s important they look elsewhere for funding.”
Many questions touched on campus communication. Both parties wish to use technology to keep in contact with students and campus organizations.
Vice president hopeful Colter Hammer of the Elevation Party proposed a weekly or a monthly email to students informing them of ASUU activities. He also wants to continue the campus walks started by Lowe and Nelson.
Lloyd wants to hold open student forums and random student luncheons to connect with students.
“We think it’s really important that we’re accountable,” he said. He proposed allowing students to sign up for ASUU email when they register for classes.
The parties also discussed tuition and what sort of increase they would fight for next year. Both parties agreed that 9.3 percent is good during a year with significant legislative funding problems, but differed on the numbers they hope for next year. Impact said they would ask for a 6 percent increase, but Elevation said tuition should rise about 4 percent.
Lowe asked the parties what personality their administration would have if they took office.
“Outgoing,” Hammer said. “Our main priority is to be outgoing to students. We have a special ability to just go out to people and get to know them.”
Lloyd said his administration would be friendly, responsible and innovative.
Both parties thanked their volunteers during the closing statements.
“We appreciate this beyond words,” an emotional Lloyd said of the help his party has received.
Voting will conclude tonight at 9 p.m.