Seven sophomore candidates vying for three open Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate spots squared off in an open forum Sunday evening in Hotung Caf?©. In total, 12 sophomores are running for the seats, which opened after former senators Michele Shelton, Erin Ross and Katie Kay resigned and no seniors or juniors expressed interest in occupying them.
Many of the candidates are active in various campus activities. Abbey Moffat is the co-chair of the Tufts Feminist Alliance (TFA), and Julia Karol is also a member of the group. Ariana Flores has been vocal in the Student Labor Action Movement (SLAM), and Elliot Freedman is a member of the Hillel student board.
The forum is traditionally held to allow students to get to know the candidates and their stance on issues. The election will take place tomorrow.
Issues such as the response to the Sept. 11 attacks, Senate culture representatives, and the Primary Source sexual harassment hearing loomed heavily over the debate. Moffat advocated the creation of a culture rep for women as part of her platform, while another Karol, called for increased safety in the wake of terrorist attacks.
The candidates let their political leanings show when asked what they thought of the recent controversy surrounding campus publications. Some attacked the Committee on Student Life (CSL) for rejecting Iris Halpern's sexual harassment charge against The Primary Source, a conservative journal.
"This year's crop seems to be more on the left," Senator Pritesh Gandhi said. "They seem to be excited and have the motivation."
The other candidates at the forum were Theophilius Benson, Randy Newsom, and Shaunik Panse.
Candidates Alli Friedman, Andy Katzenberg, Jon Parker, Andrea Perales, and Elliot Wiley were not in attendance.
The audience at the forum was larger than in semesters past, but candidate Moffat pointed out that it was largely comprised of senators and campus activists who were not members of the sophomore class. "I don't think the sophomore community was excited to be there, which is disappointing," she said.
Each candidate spoke about problems they hope to rectify, and topics included erasing campus apathy, increasing Senate outreach, voicing unheard opinions, and creating a 24-hour study space. But, said candidate Benson, it doesn't "matter who you vote for," since many of the candidates are running on similar platforms.
One question addressed whether the candidates would use the senatorial post to advocate the agendas of the specific communities they represent. Each candidate responded "the sophomore class," saying they were running for senatorial seats, not as culture representatives, and would therefore not be limited in their scope.
Senators were impressed with the group of candidates. "They're an excellent batch with a significant variety," Senator Jill Bier said. She hopes that the different backgrounds the candidates represent will increase voter turnout, which is typically low.
Other questions from the audience ranged from how the Senate can get in touch with student opinion to Tufts' handling of the Sept. 11 tragedy. Some said that the questions were tougher than usual because they were written out instead of asked verbally.
Some candidates said the Senate should increase its interaction with students so that it can better represent the student body as a whole. "I think there are a lot of ideas that are being expressed by people that aren't in the Senate. I want to represent people that aren't getting their voiced heard just because they aren't in the political clique," Flores said.
A set of bylaws was passed this year that requires Senators to go out and talk to students. Its full effects have yet to be seen, as it was passed in October.
