Tonight was the first political debate that I have had the privilege of moderating. As many on campus call for increased student engagement, it was great to be part of that discussion tonight.
The Cornell Review and Class Councils co-sponsored the debate between two Student Assembly presidential candidates, Stephen Breedon and Ulysses Smith. In the debate titled “The Role of the Student Assembly,” the candidates addressed questions regarding the Assembly’s place on campus, relevant campus issues, and their individual platforms.
Moderating part of the debate was a great experience, and one can only hopes that the campus will benefit from an increased discussion between the candidates that hope to set the tone for next year’s Assembly. It is important for students to know who & what they are voting for, in order to hold their representatives accountable as they call upon them to represent students’ rights at the table with the administration.
Cornell students did not have the opportunity to take part in such a debate last year, as the Assembly candidacy race for president was uncontested.
This year, the student body benefited from having three debates between the presidential candidates. Breedon and Smith fielded questions from ALANA on Saturday, the Student Assembly on Tuesday, and the Cornell Review tonight. This was the first time in Assembly history that there were three presidential debates.
Other Assembly races have also seen more transparency this year, as the individual colleges held forums for candidates to discuss platforms with their constituencies. Although early reports suggest that these forums saw minimal attendance, it is a step in the right direction – a direction in which students and the media hold Assembly members accountable.
