<sday evening, candidates running for positions on CSA Senate participated in a public debate in Sayles, speaking about their platforms and seeking student support. The seats for president, vice president, and treasurer are competitive, while the majority of seats for class representative will be uncontested.
During the debate, the two candidates for president, Walter Paul ’18 and Matt Thibodeau ’18, reaffirmed their platforms and emphasized the shortcomings of Carleton.
“It is an understatement to say that Carleton has issues,” Paul said, citing insufficient support for mental health, sexual violence survivors, and diversity.
Thibodeau echoed his sentiments, saying “I wish I could say that my experience at Carleton has been perfect, but it hasn’t been.” He referenced similar problems facing campus, and added that he will seek increased accountability for both CSA Senate and the administration.
Vice presidential candidates Daniel Tamez ’19 and Seth Harris ’18 debated how to decrease student turnover in campus clubs and organizations.
Harris cited his previous experience in CSA, emphasizing that he is seeking to “continue working on the progress we’ve made.”
Tamez contrasted other candidates’ dissatisfaction with the college.
“Coming to Carleton has changed my life for the better,” Tamez said. “I grew up as DACA student, with a lot of uncertainty in my life,and everyone was incredibly supportive and I feel like it’s my time to give back. CSA is a powerful platform to enrich and empower student life at Carleton.”
The candidates for treasurer, Lillie Schneyer ’18 and Jennifer Chan ’19, each discussed student projects, and promised greater transparency surrounding the student rollover fund, which currently amounts to $154,000.
With the exception of the Class of 2020, the positions for class representative were noncompetitive.
“We are in the unique position that a lot of the positions will be guaranteed,” CSA President Tiffany Thet ’17 said. “In this situation, I just want the student body to get situated with five of the representatives that will be representing campus.”
The five class representative candidates gave opening statements and were questioned by Thet, who stated that she “will be asking pretty difficult questions, seeing that you’re already guaranteed these positions.”
Many candidates were critical of the college. CSA candidate for 2018 representative Cruz Morales ’18, for example, said that he “is not excited about the Poskanzer administration. I think the administration thinks that by not saying anything they’re not being political, but that’s just wrong.”
Ballots opened on Thursday at 9 p.m. and will remain open until Sunday, Feb. 12th at 11 p.m.