By Emnit Birega, Staff Writer

Published in print Apr. 1, 2015

Last Tuesday and Wednesday, the Student Government Association (SGA) hosted a debate for the three candidates running vice president: Brittany Archie, Antonio Southern and Hinsene Samson.

Also in attendance were the current vice president, president, and some of the student body.

The candidates were asked to give their opening statements before a variety of questions were asked.

Archie began by expressing why she would like to be vice president, saying, “I believe it’s time for me to make a greater impact on our students.”

She explained that she has been involved with many organizations around campus that have helped her become a better leader. Archie argued that the hands-on experience she received while working as an at-large senator has given her a “strong insight on problems students may have and want to solve.”

She said she would like to use what she has learned to enhance the university.

Southern, the current chair pro temp for SGA, explained that if he becomes the vice president he would like to improve the campus both academically and socially.

If elected, he explained that he wants to express the opinions of students, as well as better the relationship between staff and students.

“I would like to have a open house…therefore the students will be less intimidated to approach their professor later in the year,” he stated. By having such plans implemented, he believes that it will improve the student’s overall experience at UNCG.

One of Samson’s biggest goals, if elected, is to reach out to the diverse student body.

Samson argued that UNCG is known for its diversity, but “you don’t see that students are integrated.”

Samson, only a freshman, says that regardless of her inexperience she still wants to push for changes on this campus. “Experience does not make a candidate more suitable for this position,” Samson argued, “It’s the passion and drive that a candidate holds.”

She continued, saying, “What I lack in experience I make up for in ambition, drive and passion.”

When asked if elected what would be the first job they would want to accomplish is, Samson answered that her first major improvement to SGA would be changing the application process for freshman senators so as to prepare them better for what they will be doing.

Furthermore, Samson also said that SGA needs to make certain that the newly elected senators are there for the right reasons and are ready to do their jobs. As a current at-large senator, she said she would like to continue to make sure that the voice of the student body is heard.

Southern on the other hand, would first want to make sure SGA is connected and on the same page before reaching out to the student body. He believes that being one, as an organization, will also help with the senator- retention rate.

As for the application process, Archie insisted, “Anybody can make themselves look good on paper.” What she would do to raise the retention rate is find out what the senators enjoy doing and give them something to do immediately to prevent boredom.   

Concerning the trust of student body, Archie stated, “They don’t see us trying. We are actually working but they don’t know that because we don’t give them that information.”

Although the university’s tuition and fees are increasing, Archie argued, “In order to see change happening on your campus you have to put money into it.” Archie would like for the student body to be aware of where their money is going.

Overall, all of the candidates agreed that in order for students to be more aware they have to try harder to make sure the students show up to forums to voice their opinions.