First CUSG debate covers key viewpoints on spending, lobbying, 4/20

With the recent smoking ban, 6 percent tuition hike, the discussion of firearms on campus and the upcoming 4/20-visitor ban in play, the CU Student Government spring election will be a decisive one.

The first round of debates between Inspire and Unite, the two major tickets, and an independent candidate for the positions of Representative-at-Large and Tri-Executive kicked off Wednesday night. There was a lofty turnout with a number of students already decided for both sides, which made for an engaging debate during the night including some heated exchanges.

With eight student-generated questions and a few minutes for final statements at the end, each group made a pitch to gather support for their ideals and share their hopes for CU’s future.

Independent candidate Mitchell Fenton was given a slightly less amount of time to answer the questions.

Throughout the night, keywords like “Buffs,” “community,” “diversity” and “sustainability” were on everyone’s tongue. The following are reactions to key questions.

The 4/20 dilemma continues to be unresolved and hotly debated. How do you propose the events surrounding the day be handled, and how would you work with each other and campus administration to bring short-term and long-term success?

Inspire key points:

• Not the same administration that served during last 4/20
• Create a dialogue online and through on-campus events, giving students a forum

Unite key points:

• Inspire could have done more to include students in the last 4/20 debate
• 4/20’s current policies risk alienating historically underrepresented students

Independent key points:

• Biggest problem is wasting money on the day
• “If we are going to spend money on a concert, it better be a good concert.” – Fenton, representative-at-large candidate, junior psychology and political science major

The Inspire, Unite and independent candidate voice their views on heated subjects around CU’s campus including 4/20, the campus smoking ban and equity with diverse student groups. (Joe Wirth/CU Independent)

What are your primary goals and/or concerns regarding budgetary issues within CUSG and throughout campus as a whole? How would you like to see money and tuition fee increases spent?

Unite Key Points:

• “Our biggest goals are that the student groups get the funding that they deserve.” -Ellie Roberts, tri-executive candidate, sophomore communication major
• “In terms of tuition, CUSG actually can lobby to bring tuition down. We want to speak up for our students to bring tuition down.” -Roberts

Inspire Key Points:

• Push for affordability but realize you get what you pay for
• Lobbying is not going to counter the increasing tuition trend

Independent Key Points:

• More money into sustainability
• More money spent on student groups, club sports

What do you feel is your personal and CUSG’s overall single most important responsibility to the student body? How do you plan to achieve that goal if elected?

Inspire Key Points:

• The concept of representation and affordability
• Everything CUSG supports should add value to degrees
• “We need to know what the students want. Our duty is to listen to the student voice.” -Alexis Scobie, tri-executive candidate, junior political science major

Unite Key Points:

• “The single most important job I see for CUSG and for myself is actually two-fold. It’s to advocate for students and to support student groups.” – Christopher Lee Schaefbauer, tri-executive candidate, graduate student in computer science
• Support student groups

Independent Key Points:

• Fenton was not invited to answer.

For more information, attend the second debate for tri-executives at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday in Hellems 252. Click here to learn more about the candidates and the upcoming election.

Polls open at 8 a.m. on Monday, April 8, and will close at 8 p.m. on Thursday with preliminary results announced at 9 p.m. that same night. You can cast your ballot on myCUinfo.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Ari Browne at Shikari.browne@colorado.edu.