The two candidates contending for the recently vacated Tufts Community Union (TCU) sophomore Senate seat last night both named increasing the body's student outreach as one of their primary goals.
Candidates Benjamin Richards and Matthew Wittman spoke at a forum held in Hotung Café. Facing a smattering of students, they gave brief summaries of their campaign platforms and answered questions from the Tufts Elections Commission (ECOM) and the audience.
Today's special election, which opened at midnight and will continue for 24 hours, will fill the seat from which sophomore Joel Greenberg resigned at the end of January.
Both Richards and Wittman called for the Senate to clarify the body's role in the Tufts community through increased student outreach.
They both mentioned the controversial decision to fund the Trips Cabin as something that would have benefited from greater student feedback.
TCU Treasurer Aaron Bartel, a sophomore, applauded both candidates' goals, especially their intentions of reaching out to the entire community.
"It seemed like they both personally wanted to go beyond the required amount of outreach, which is commendable," he said.
In an unusual move, Greenberg has made public his support for Wittman.
"I trust Matt to ask questions so that he may become aware of whatever information is necessary to represent our class to the best of his ability," Greenberg said.
He added that, as a student, his views should not influence the outcome of the election and that voters should make their own decisions.
Richards acknowledged Greenberg's public backing of Wittman but maintained that the sophomore class's ultimate decision will take into account the issues and not public endorsements.
"[The election] will be about what the candidates stand for, and that is what is important," Richards said. "It is the Class of 2012's seat, not Joel Greenberg's seat."
Wittman and Greenberg are both members of the Theta Chi fraternity.
The other two open student government seats were filled at Thursday's candidates meeting. Freshman Adam Sax and senior Cory Siskind were walked onto the TCU Judiciary seat and the TCU Senior Senate seat, respectively, as they were unopposed.
