Executive candidates running in Carleton’s undergraduate student elections debated issues ranging from heated bus stops and frosh week to safe spaces and tax services in the Unicentre atrium on Jan. 28.
Amid chants of support and the occasional drumming, executive candidates for the Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) listed their platforms and criticized their rivals. The debate was moderated by Christopher Waddell, Carleton’s director of journalism and communication, who asked questions prepared by the CUSA elections office and the Charlatan.
Slates A Better Carleton (ABC) and United for Carleton (UFC) promoted their ideas for the university next year.
The presidential candidates’ debate was marked by an argument between ABC presidential candidate Alexander Golovko and his UFC counterpart Odai Hoorani.
Hoorani told the audience that during the handshake before the debate Golovko gave him the middle finger. Golovko said Hoorani misinterpreted the feeling of his fingers, and extended his hand again to Hoorani during the debate. Hoorani refused the gesture.
At the Charlatan’s radio show on CKCU the next day, Hoorani apologized for his comments and agreed to shake Golovko’s hand.
Golovko’s platform points included heated bus stops, an expanded CUSA scholarship fund, and continuing to improve CUSA’s reputation.
“CUSA is what I stand for . . . I have brought students results,” Golovko said.
Hoorani said that Golovko’s time as CUSA’s president has not been beneficial for students.
Hoorani’s platform points include reducing tuition fees, creating a CUSA clubs box office and implementing an academic advocacy service centre to form a bridge between students and the university.
Golovko said Carleton’s Academic Student Government is already in place to fulfill the advocacy service Hoorani proposed.
“There is no need to provide students with something that already exists,” Golovko said.
Before the presidential debate, the other executive candidates faced off against one another.
Vice-president (student life) candidates Hayley Dobson (ABC) and Hamid Dada Ilboudo (UFC) agreed on the importance of student events on campus, such as homecoming, frosh week, and concerts.
“I am student life,” Ilboudo said, citing his participation in campus events. Ilboudo wants to create a welcome week extended to all students, not just first-years.
Dobson said she wants to continue the work she has done as vice-president, and have frosh organized by students rather than the administration.
Vice-president (student services) candidate Reda Zarrug (ABC) said this year, for the first time, CUSA dedicated a budget to spirit week and promised more spirit funding if re-elected.
Tracy Ampofoh, UFC’s candidate for the position, said CUSA executives need to offer service centres support, not just money.
Vice-president (internal) candidates, Maher Jebara (ABC) and Jennifer Murley (UFC), debated how to improve student spaces on campus. Both candidates are in favour of a separate student building.
Murley said more space for students, clubs, and societies is “an awesome idea,” but said in order to save money for this building, it is important that CUSA not be involved in a lawsuit.
“This year the whole executive worked extremely hard,” Jebara said, promising if given the chance, ABC will make Carleton the best school in Canada.
Gina Parker (ABC) and Ben Diaz (UFC), running for vice-president (student issues) spoke about safe spaces on campus.
“Safe space is about creating a place of respect . . . where everyone has a right to be,” Diaz said.
While Diaz argued CUSA should advocate on behalf of students, Parker argued CUSA should remain impartial.
Vice-president (finance) candidate, Lorne Powell (UFC), likened students to shareholders and said they should see a return from their investment in CUSA.
Powell said he wants to get students a free-tax service through the Sprott School of Business, and said profitable businesses are essential, he has a plan for every student business.
Folarin Odunayo said ABC will create more student jobs, calling student businesses “a circle of life.” He also wants CUSA-operated student housing.
Waddell said he thought the debate went well as candidates got the chance to say what they wanted to do, adding it will be interesting to see how this debate impacts voters.
