MSA slates debate issues

By Erica Zucco

Published Oct. 26, 2007

Both Missouri Students Association presidential slates fielded questions Thursday night at the second debate of the year.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Cathy Scroggs served as moderator for the debate between the slate of presidential candidate Dustin Barker and vice presidential candidate Jessica Ekhoff and the slate of presidential candidate Jim Kelley and vice presidential candidate Chelsea Johnson.

With about 25 students in attendance, candidates were asked to explain their views on everything from their leadership experience to how they plan to work with administration.

"There's always someone above you that's been there longer than you," Barker said. "They are very wise, and it's always good to listen to your elders."

Kelley said it was important to work with administration to have a lasting legacy at MU.

"You want to make sure the changes you make are institutionalized and stay around after you leave," he said.

Throughout the debate, Barker and Ekhoff stressed their position on the importance of communication on campus.

"Many students don't fully understand MSA or how it affects them," Barker said. "We plan to give a monthly State of Mizzou address to present information to MU students and ask for their input."

Ekhoff described their plans for keeping in touch with all MU students.

"Dusty and I will each attend meetings of different student organizations at least once a week," she said. "We need to get an idea of what all types of students want."

Kelley and Johnson said all components of their platform were equally important.

"We also want to address STRIPES," Johnson said. "This is very important to us. We want to work with honors marketing students to attract more volunteers."

Kelley and Johnson suggested the best measures to increase safety and security on campus were enhancing communication of issues through mass text messaging and e-mails and installing cameras in residence hall common areas to prevent theft.

On Sept. 24, the UM system released a news release stating all four campuses were working with 3N National Notification Network to create a text message alert system in case of emergency. The news release stated that the program is supposed to be installed in the next few weeks before any candidate comes into office.

Barker and Ekhoff said they feel preventative measures are the best method to improve safety on campus.

The slates also answered questions from students who came to watch the debate and prompted discussions of diversity and tolerance initiatives, condoms in the residence halls and the legacy that each slate wished to leave behind.

Both slates said they supported condoms in the residence halls and promised to seek implementation of the program.