IUSA hosts debate

The three executive tickets running for the IU Student Association met in an open debate last night. The three tickets -- Kirkwood, Steel and Synergy -- debated on issues concerning the greek system and the campus alcohol policy, among other things. The debate panel was made-up of Chancellor Sharon Brehm; junior Shawn Frakes, a representative from the Interfraternity Council; and Matt McGarrity, a professor in the department of communication and culture.\nThe recent alcohol problems facing the greek system was a major focus of the debate. The three tickets voiced concern over the problems and the need to revitalize and help the greek system.\n"Issues that are part of the greek system affect all students," said junior Kerry Hall, Synergy candidate for student body treasurer.\nThough the Kirkwood ticket said it was made up of more than just greek students, sophomore Bill Gray, presidential candidate for Kirkwood, spoke about his connection and concerns with the greek system.\n"I'm greek," Gray said. "I know what the problems are. Our rights are being violated. We're only 20 percent of the University. We need to look at 100 percent of the problem." \nGray said all areas of student life have problems with alcohol, and the greek system has been singled out by University administration as a source for alcohol-related problems. \nKirkwood treasurer candidate Blair Greenberg, a sophomore, said the other tickets had soft stances on the alcohol policy and that the Kirkwood ticket had concrete ideas and policies about the issue.\n"It's not built around who the students are," said junior Justin Barnes, Synergy candidate for vice president of administration. "I don't think the policy is going to work. Let's make one that does."\nThe Steel ticket also spoke about issues of responsibility from students and involvement by the administration.\n"When you treat people like adults, they step up and act like adults," said Steel's candidate for treasurer, senior Ilia Smith. "We don't need to be babysat. How can we make the transition from being babysat to the independence of the real world?"\nBarnes stressed the importance of having students directly involved with the structuring of the alcohol policy, specifically in the Campus Community Commission on Alcohol.\n"We need to be on the commission," Barnes said. "We need to have our voices heard."\nKirkwood and Synergy both voiced support for the Graduate and Professional Student Organization's consideration to break away from IUSA. \n"The issues that affect undergrads don't affect graduate students," said junior Brian Daviduke, presidential candidate for Synergy. "Our platform has nothing to do with graduate students. There is no reason not to split."\nSteel disagrees with this decision.\n"I don't think there's an issue on campus that doesn't affect everyone," said sophomore Jeff Wuslich, presidential candidate for Steel. "It's another way for the administration to divide and conquer."\nEach ticket has different views on what it will be able to accomplish if elected.\nGray said nothing is impossible to accomplish, and the Kirkwood ticket, whose motto is "work hard, play hard," vows to not back down and to stand up to the issue if needed. \nThe doors to the administration are jammed to students, said Synergy's candidate for Vice President of Congress Aimee Dawson, a junior.\n"The students haven't kicked through to where they need to be," she said. "This is the only organization that's going to work for students." \nSynergy wants to help empower the different student groups by increasing communication between them and IUSA.\n"Synergy is going to contact all 531 student groups within one month," Daviduke said. "We will do more in a month than IUSA did all year."\nSteel wants to "make sure that if you have an issue, if you have a concern, you have someone to go to," Wuslich said. "We've set reasonable goals. We're going to give you tangible things."\nSmith said IUSA can make more of an impact by interacting with the students.\n"Not everyone knows what IUSA is and does," Smith said. "When you get more information about the issues, you get more involved."\nThe candidates stressed the importance of working together and working for the students.\n"We decided to do this because we care about the issues," said Kirkwood's vice president of administration candidate, junior Judd Arnold. "The problems are still there, and we're going to do whatever we can to tackle them, win or lose"