Small turnout disappoints PSG candidates

By Matt Lindner
Assistant Campus Editor

Purdue Student Government presidential and vice-presidential candidates faced off against the students they hoped to represent at the PSG meeting on Wednesday night.

However, while the room they were in had accommodations for many more, only around seven non-candidates showed up to listen to the students present their issues and ask questions of them. Additionally, only eight of the possible 21 candidates running for the open seats showed up to the forum to give the students a better idea of who they were and what they were about.

Michele Wilson, a sophomore who is a candidate for the School of Management seat, said the low non-senator turnout was disheartening.

"I feel we accomplished a lot, but it was sad to see that not enough students cared to at least come and hear what the candidates had to say," Wilson said.

Those who did come, addressed such issues as the lack of communication between PSG and the general student body, what the candidates planned on doing for the students if elected and how they were going to fill their campaign promises.

The David Purpura/Nicki Elliott ticket addressed students' concerns about a lack of entertainment at Purdue.

When asked about the issue of Purdue not having a suitable venue to host a major band, Purpura said he wanted to work with the University if he got elected.

"We want to work with the University to upgrade the facilities we have here in order to bring in bigger name bands," Purpura said. "Also, we want to work with other student organizations to help provide funding for a bigger name band."

The Greg Canfield/Stephanie Warner ticket focused more of their allotted time on addressing how they would change the way students viewed PSG. Canfield said it was time that PSG looked at itself from the outside.

"I think we really need to reexamine where PSG stands in the way of being able to influence students," Canfield said. "We really need to work with each of the specialization groups such as the Interfraternity Council, the Panhellenic Association, the Residence Hall Council in order to make sure that all students are fairly represented."

Students who attended the meeting were not impressed by what they heard from the candidates.

Justin Dunbar, a junior in the School of Consumer and Family Sciences, said the candidates weren't thinking enough about the individual schools.

"I'm glad that PSG is thinking about the students; however, the candidates kept referring to the different housing councils whereas they should have been more focused on the individual schools," Dunbar said.

Kenneth Eichenberger, a senior in the School of Technology, said the candidates appeared to be dodging the pressing issues.

"It always seems like PSG is always skirting the real issues at hand," Eichenberger said. "The problem with Purdue students is they are spreading themselves too thin. PSG needs to promote the balance between academics and activities, because people aren't going to get involved unless they have a reason to."

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CAMPUS DESK PHONE:
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Campus editor: Kelsey VanArsdall

Assistant Campus editors: Rachael Conley, Matt Lindner

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