With FUSA elections less than a week away, fewer then 50 spectators were in attendance at the presidential debates on Tuesday as candidates squared off for one of the most important events of the election season.
Approximately 35 people filled the 50 available seats at the annual FUSA presidential debate in the lower level of the Barone Campus Center on Tuesday; however, many of those in attendance were current FUSA members and campaigners for each ticket.
“I really wish that more people had attended the debates,” said current FUSA President Jessica DiBuono ’06.
Elections for FUSA President and Vice President, senators and class council will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 28 on the lower level of the BCC.
This year’s candidates for FUSA President are Ryan Neubauer ’07 and Hutchinson Williams ’08. Neubauer is the cousin of Kevin Neubauer ’05, who served as FUSA President in 2003 and 2004 during his junior year.
Vice Presidential candidates this year are Senators Ashley Toombs ’07, who is running on a ticket with Neubauer, and Megan McConville ’08, who is running on a ticket with Williams.
While candidates may choose to run on a shared ticket, students have the option of voting across tickets.
During the debates, candidates introduced their reasons for running and their election platforms. For a full outline of candidate platforms see page 2.
Traditionally, debates are held prior to the primary elections for presidential and vice presidential candidates. This year, there were no primary elections since only two candidates applied for each position, according to DiBuono.
This was the first time in her four years at Fairfield that there was no presidential primary, DiBuono said.
Seats may have been empty, but some students peered over the railings as they walked through the BCC to catch a glimpse of this year’s new debate format.
“I didn’t have the time to sit, but it was cool how the candidates were responding to each other – and from what I heard, they had good answers to each others’ questions,” said Marlena Riccio ’09.
Like in years past, candidates presented opening statements, their election platforms, a closing statement, and had a chance to respond to their opponents.
New features in this year’s debate included a chance for candidates to pose a question to their opponents and an opportunity for audience members to ask questions of the candidates. Only two audience members posed questions of the candidates, including one Mirror editor.
“I enjoyed the new debate format,” said DiBuono. “You learned a lot about each candidate by seeing the questions they posed of each other.”
Lauren DiGiovine ’07, a member of the Debate Team, served as moderator for this year’s debates.
Candidates effectively presented their campaigns and students “heard what they wanted to hear” in the limited time provided, according to Rick Fasano ’06, this year’s Election Commissioner.
However, Fasano said he would’ve liked to see more students attend.
DiBuono agreed.
“I understand the stresses students face during the school day, but students need to take the time to get to know the candidates,” DiBuono said. “Grab the candidates if you see them and take the time to become an informed voter.”
Students recognize that the debate, which began at noon and lasted about an hour, was scheduled at a time when “most students are either sleeping or in class,” said Ben Welch ’08.
Yet Welch feels the candidates caught students’ attention.
“All the candidates brought up valid points, and I hope that they hit their platform once elected,” said Welch, who said he hopes students realize that on the ballot, students can vote for each candidate separately.
Other students felt candidates didn’t have enough time to discuss their platforms.
“I didn’t feel that the candidates got enough of a spotlight – I wanted to hear them hit on more topics,” said Kristen Zeitler ’07.
There will be a second informal debate at this week’s FUSA Senate meeting on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. in the Oak Room, according to DiBuono.
During the Senate meeting, each presidential and vice presidential candidate will make an opening statement. Senators, then the student body, will then be able to ask questions of the candidates.
“I really urge people to attend and to become informed voters,” said DiBuono, who encouraged outgoing seniors, who traditionally have a low voter turnout in FUSA elections, to cast their vote.
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