SGA forum fosters debate

Editors Note: You can watch the debates yourself! Click here to view video of the debates and make your own assessment.

Please note that due to time and technical restraints, all the video may not be up until tonight. Also, our priority is for contested positions, so uncontested positions will come last.

A heated political debate Wednesday night got so many UA students in The Zone that it became a fire safety issue.

The Crimson White-sponsored SGA executive debate was held in The Zone of the Bryant-Denny Stadium, and the number of students crowding the room led to an announcement to clear the fire exits.

The main subject of debate between the presidential candidates came down to SGA experience. Presidential candidate Cason Kirby said his three years of SGA experience gives him advantages necessary to get things done in office.

"I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I would not have been able to make nearly, really I would go as far to say any, of the real progress we made for students this year if I didn't have the connection with administration that I spent years developing," Kirby said.

Stephen Saucier, also running for SGA president, said his experience lies in other organizations outside of the SGA. As for Saucier's lack of experience with the SGA, he said the former president of the SGA should be able to train the new president for the position.

"If the SGA is so convoluted that it needs constant involvement throughout four years to actually have a grasp of what the SGA can accomplish then I think we have too much red tape as it is," he said.

When presidential candidates had a chance to pose questions to each other, Saucier turned opponent Kirby's tagline on its side when he asked him what he plans to do on day one if he is "not elected."

"Whether I'm SGA president or I'm just a regular student ... we can always work together to make progress from every position we're in and I look forward to fighting for [students'] rights whether I'm SGA president or not," Kirby responded.

"I wanted to see what his backup plan was," Saucier said.

During the debate Saucier mentioned a plan involving universal parking for students with parking tags at the Student Recreation Center, and elsewhere on campus. A plan for universal parking at the Rec Center is currently being discussed in the Senate, and senators have already met with parking officials, said Madeline Barter, executive vice president of the Senate.

Brandon Clark and Aubrey Coleman debated for the position of vice president of Academic Affairs. The candidates addressed textbook prices and print credits.

"My platform on textbook prices means money in your pocket," Clark said.

Coleman also addressed the issue of Dead Week.

"Dead Week needs to stay dead," he said.

Mike Dodson and Kendra Key, running for vice president of External Affairs, discussed enabling Tuscaloosa to feel more like home by addressing issues of safety and life off campus.

Though candidates running for the remaining executive offices will run uncontested, they still presented their platforms at the debate.

Allen Ross, campaigning for executive vice president, emphasized the creation of an SGA journal to inform students and create more transparency and accountability in the SGA.

For the position of vice president of Student Affairs, Louise Crow listed several platforms including electronic ticketing at football games, transportation and improving cell phone service at the Ferguson Center.

Blair Darnell explained the importance and benefit of the position she is seeking as executive secretary by lending ideas such as posting helpful information about the SGA on the Web.

"Some [candidates] didn't impress me too much, and some were more confidant," said Jimmy McLean, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering.

Kristen Brown, a freshman majoring in education, said the debate helped her decide whom to vote for because she did not have her mind made up beforehand.

"Certain personalities really stuck out," she said.

"You could tell who wasn't prepared," said Molly Greenwood, a freshman majoring in education. She also said overall the candidates debated well.

SGA President R.B. Walker said he was impressed with the attendance at the debate.

"Tonight's attendance and venue have really put elections on a pedestal," he said. "Let tonight serve as one of the many reasons students should take voting very serious."

Dave Folk contributed to this report.