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Fireworks in Reed during SGA debate
by Hal D. Coffey
Norm Editor
Fireworks went off in the
Reed Lecture Hall on Monday
night. They were not your
ordinary fireworks, they were
political ones.
The first of two SGA debates
occurred on Monday night
involving the candidates for
Student Organization Council
president and SGA president and
vice president
The first debate of the night
was between Paul Lorio and Ray
Graham for SOC president.
Lorio opened by saying he
wanted more interaction between
the 70+ groups on campus.
“In order for groups to work
better, there would be a forum
between organizations, a push
for more co-sponsorship, and
examination of somewhat
inactive groups," Lorio said.
After outlining this plan, he
listed off some of his credentials,
including president of Eco-
Action, VP of Student
Programming Council, and
numerous activities at his former
campus, Penn Stale Schuylkill.
Next, Graham read from the
six purpose outline of die job of
SOC president as staled in the
SGA Constitution. After each
one, he gave a suggestion for
better implementing h.
“One thing clubs need is to
have better budget training,”
Graham said. “Abo, we should
have a wall list or calendar of
registered activities posted in
Reed for residents and
commuters.”
Along with these suggestions
he also pledged to be more
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accessible to students and to hold
regular leadership seminars.
He emphasized his presidency
of Living Off Campus (formerly
Commuter Council), because
understands commuter concerns.
One concern raised during the
question and answer period was
that of the activities fee. The
activities fee would add $lO-20
to students' accounts to benefit
clubs and organizations.
“The activities fee would make
students want to participate,”
Graham said.
Lorio equated the activities fee
with the problems of the
computer fee.
“Not all students use the
computer lab, yet everyone is
charged $35,” Lorio said. “Now
there is a proposal to add more
money to students' bills for
something not all students use.”
Graham disagreed with the
comparison between the
computer and activities fees.
The final question came from
Inter-Fraternity Council
president, Rick Kralevich.
Kralevich brought up a flyer
circulated by the Committee to
Elect Ray Graham. On it, Lorio
is quoted as saying certain anti-
Greek comments.
BOOM. And the fireworks
began.
And series of mud slinging
shots ensued between Lorio and
Graham.
"/ am a voice that is
heard. If something
needs done,
it will get done”
-Hugh Rosenblum
Lorio ended saying, "Ray talks
about building long lasting
friendships as SOC president.
Well, so far, he is 0 for 1.”
As the smoke cleared from the
opening debate, the SGA
presidential/VP candidates
walked on stage.
One notable absentee was Sam
Epps’ VP running mate, Betsy
Sauer. Sauer had a death in the
family, and was unable to attend.
The two presidential candidates
began with opening statements,
Hugh Rosenblum said he
wants better interaction between
SGA and students.
“I would like to see an open
forum for students or senators
having individual meetings,”
Rosenblum said. “Students
should be heard.”
Epps gave a three point
platform: to be informative, to
be accountable to students, and
to be accessible to students.
“The SGA president is
accountable to everything,” Epps
said. “He has to be accessible to
student concerns.”
Next, Matthew D. Cissne,
Rosenblum *s running mate,
voiced his cohcern towards the
poor turnout at the debate.
“The reason we have a college
is because of the students,”
Cissne said.
The actual turnout was around
30 people, plus media, co
chairpeople of the election
committee, and the candidates.
Epps spoke again, this time
about funding problems.
“The biggest concern is
underfunding for organizations
and clubs,” Epps said. “Funding
for organizations is ninth out of
ten priorities in the ‘Behrend
Strategic Plan’."
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Later responses dealt with
general improvements.
Cissne said senators need to
have meetings to voice concerns.
“SGA is too impersonal,”
Cissne said. “The only way to
change the image of SGA is for
everyone in SGA to contribute.”
Epps wants to abolish SOC
and make it VP for Internal
Affairs.
“This new position would
have authority to have small
group meetings on important
issues for groups and
organizations,” Epps said.
Another audience member
wondered what each candidate's
mqjor goal for SGA is.
For Rosenblum, student
involvement is job one.
“I am a voice that’s heard. If
something needs done, it will
get done,” Rosenblum said.
“Without students, SGA is
nothing.”
Epps said experience is what
distinguishes his ticket from that
of Rosenblum-Cissne.
He then listed some of his
past positions in organizations
such as president of the
university chapter of the
NAACP and Multi-Cultural
Council.
Cissne said he is never
satisfied with what he is doing.
“There is always another level
to achieve,” Cissne said.
He then listed several of his
accomplishments, including
serving as Secretary of IFC and
being in "Wbo’s-Who in
American Colleges and
Universities."
Cissne rebutted Epps' claim
that the Rosenblum-Cissne is
less experienced in SGA
politics.
“We don’t have the experience,
Thursday April 7,1994
but the only way to learn about
a job is to do it,” Cissne said.
As for promoting SGA, Epps
said co-sponsorship is vital.
“SGA should help promote an
identity through promoting
Homecoming and the Snowball
formal dance,” Epps said. “We
are concerned with student life. I
want to build pride in Behrend.”
Continuing his message of
involvement, Rosenblum said
senators must go out to tap the
concerns of students.
“We are concerned with
student life. I want to
build pride in
Behrend"
•Sam Epps
“Senators must find out what
students want and what they like
at this campus,” Rosenblum
said. “What makes students
proud to be at Behrend.”
The final question dealt with
why Greeks on campus are
passed over for funds.
Cissne said this is a total
misconception.
“Everyone is given a fair
shake," Cissne said. “Allocated
funds need to serve the entire
campus.”
Epps agreed with Cissne’s
comments.
And with that, the first debate
of the spring 1994 elections
ended.
With the elections postponed
until next week (April 12-15), a
second debate for the SGA
presidential tickets has been
added. This will take {dace in
the Commons (old Library) on
Monday, April 11 at 8 p.m.