LC Meridian

Issue date: 4/1/07 Section: Election 2007

With the student elections arriving on April 24, 25 and 26, Lehman students have been waiting anxiously to hear what the candidates have to say. But it has become impossible because a debate scheduled for April 18 at 2 p.m. was cancelled at the last minute.

"By the election code there has be to a debate and the candidates do not have to be there as long as there is a representative from the party," said Michael Sullivan, director of campus life.

Sullivan explains that instead of a debate there was an information session for candidates about the election process, but that there will be a debate during the week of the elections. Sullivan claims that the reason why they did not hold a debate is because there was not a full Elections Board. He adds that they were trying to find two candidates who would serve on the board, and they first have to be confirmed by CASA and Student Conference.

According to the Election Board Code, the Election Board can have five members, but a quorum can consist of three members. The board is responsible for designating a time for campaigning and for organizing a mandatory debate before elections. During the debate, a time keeper should be present, candidates are required to state their platform and answer questions from the student body.

Vincent Zucchetto, executive assistant to vice president of student affairs, says that the college administration does not get involved with student elections because the Elections Board is run by students, a right provided by the CUNY Board of Trustees. But he adds that he does not understand why the debate was cancelled in the first place.

"I think that we should have debates and that they should be campaigning," said Zucchetto. "They should be allowed to express their views, and the voters should know exactly why they should vote for someone. Why would they cancel the debate?"

Junior Chia Schonberg believes that students need to know what the issues are and have their questions addressed. She says that some of the hot topics for this elections are the proposal to raise the student activity fee and demanding the school provide more courses.

"I think that if [student voters] are give a chance they will [attend the debates], especially this year because there has been so much talk about raising the student activity fee and a lot of students are so against it," said Schonberg. "I think the students who aren't involved would like to get involved with something like that because it is something that directly affects them."

Ravi Rampersaud thinks that it is important for parties to debate in order to explain how they plan to administer and apply their goals. He says that the lack of information from the administration has put a strain on CASA and students.

"I think that students are interested when they are passionate," said Rampersaud. "People should be prepared at all times and know where their money is going and what is going on."

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