On Thursday night, students were invited to report to D’Angelo Center Room 307 at 6 p.m. for an event that would affect how student life continues to function at St. John’s University.
As students, faculty and staff began to shuffle in, candidates from the Vision Party, and ACT Now Party sat on a panel at the front of the classroom ready to debate Student Government inc (SGi) policy ahead of the upcoming election on April 13-15.
The debate began with the candidates’ introductions. Candidates from the Vision Party include SGi Secretary, Andrew Fludd, who is running for president, Madison Yates, who is running for Vice President, Ayman Mohammed, the candidate for Secretary, Kelysse Ochoteco, the candidate for Press Secretary and Alliyah Sadiq, who is running for Senior Programming Coordinator. Vision’s candidate for Treasurer, Samantha Staromana, was notably absent from the event due to an “unfortunate family circumstance.”
On the opposing side of the aisle was the lone candidate on the Act Now ticket: Korey McElroy. McElroy is Act Now’s candidate for SGi President. McElroy is currently serving as a junior senator for St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Opening Statements
Fludd in his opening statements claimed that he was uniquely fit to lead as SGi president due to his experience as a Resident Assistant, SGi secretary and youth advocate. He also mentioned his experience working in real estate.
“Those experiences have challenged me, shaped me and ultimately prepared me to lead,” Fludd told the audience during the opening moments of the debate.
Other candidates from the Vision ticket, like Ayman Mohammed stressed their commitment to “increase transparency within Student Government by bridging the gap between the administration and the student body.”
On the other hand, McElroy focused on his values and touted his success as a junior senator explaining he passed eight out of the nine bills he introduced during this year’s session.
“The foundation of my campaign is accountability, change and transparency” said McElroy, explaining his party’s acronymic name. McElroy explained that the third pillar of ACT Now’s agenda, transparency, is something he has been fighting for, citing his efforts to pass a bill allowing students to spectate senate meetings – his lone failure as a student legislator.
McElroy also notably recognized the Student Senate’s success in “aligning SGi with the SJU faculty unions in their fight to regain recognition from the University administration” after the University decided to oust the unions in February.
Promises
McElroy was hesitant to make hefty promises, telling the audience, “Before I can get started doing the work of next year, I need to make sure the work of this previous year has been completed.”
McElroy also has plans for an initiative to create a library for the University’s student publications, including The Torch and the SJU Political Student Union’s The Exchange.
McElroy’s ACT Now party advocated for reforms to the shuttle system, arguing the University could better use its transportation system to further benefit students.
McElroy proposed a system in which student organizations would be funded based on how much spending they had in the previous year, similar to the accreditation currently used by Fraternity and Sorority Life.
Organizations that spent less would be allocated less funding, while organizations that needed to spend more would be allocated more funding.
Vision’s plan for transparency was to keep the status quo while sending more mass emails informing the student body of decisions being made by SGi, as well as an increased social media presence led by Ochoteco as Press Secretary.
Vision’s plan for bolstering campus culture included more campus events, like watch-parties for many of the Red Storm’s biggest games, citing the decline of basketball watch-parties on campus in recent years.
The Vision party also advocated for a space for both commuter and resident students to “hang out” between classes and boost the social scene at St. John’s. McElroy argued those spaces already exist within the D’Angelo Center (DAC), pointing to Sodano Coffee House and the Ballroom as examples.
Fludd claimed that Vision was also committed to supporting diversity on campus, using his own ticket as an example of the multitude of cultures that make up the St. John’s community.
Vision spent time during the debate discussing their ideas for a digital Storm Card initiative, which would allow students to use their Storm Card as a part of their cell phone’s digital wallet.
Tensions Rise
Though the vast majority of the debate remained completely civil, things became heated during the discussion of shuttle reform. Mohammed claimed that McElroy’s plan for shuttle reform was poorly researched, prompting McElroy to defend himself.
“In terms of research, I’ve spoken to the people who drive the shuttles. I’ve done the math,” McElroy said in response to Mohammed. “I know this plan is implementable,” he continued.
Tensions reached a boiling point when Fludd accused McElroy of being boastful with his record. “The Senate is bigger than Korey. It seems like his campaign is based on ‘I did this and this needs to happen.’”
McElroy in response told the audience, “I am not citing the bills I have passed because I think I am somehow better than anyone else.” The presidential candidate continued saying, “I haven’t had a career in student government. This time last year I was just a regular student and I still am just a regular student.”
Near the end of the debate McElroy acknowledged that the discussion became “heated” at times.
Concluding Statements
During the concluding statements, Fludd encouraged students to contact him about issues and concerns regarding student life.
McElroy concluded the debate saying that if students wanted to see impactful changes on campus they should “act now” a reference to his party affiliation.
After the debate concluded, the candidates shook hands and exited the panel. Students are encouraged to vote for their preferred candidate so they can see their vision for SGi become a reality.
