Students gathered in the Thatcher Chapel to ask those running for Student Association positions questions about their plans for the upcoming school year during the annual town hall. The event, moderated by Dennis Negron, vice president of student development, featured junior theology major Rhidge Garcia, junior social work major Dylan Gibbons and sophomore marketing Thyrell Smith who are running for SA president, executive vice president and social vice president respectively.
Students submitted inquiries to the panel on topics ranging from scheduling, budgets and racial tensions on campus. The candidates were also asked more light hearted questions such as which iPhone app they would be.
“It was better than I expected,” Garcia said. “I was nervous trying to mentally prepare. But people asked good questions that will further discussion on campus. There were some some good ideas brought up to explore.”
Although there were only around a dozen students in attendance, those who came engaged and were offered convocation credit.
“I learned their goals, and what is important to them,” said Rachel Turner, freshman social work major. “I also learned that we, (the students) are what is important to them.”
Negron believes that this even helps students to be able to gauge those running for office.
“(This event) is important because we get to hear what these candidates have to say,” Negron said. “It is important to see if they come across as sincere, once they are up front or if they lack coming off as sincere.
Despite all three contenders running unopposed, students are still able to vote yes or no for their candidacy today, Thursday 22.