The two candidates running for the open sophomore seat on the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate presented their platforms to a smattering of Tufts students at a candidates forum in Hotung Café last night.
Sophomores Jeremy Zelinger and Stefan Schwarz presented their platforms for the upcoming year and answered questions submitted by Tufts' Elections Committee (ECOM) and members of the student body.
The special election, to be held Wednesday, will fill the position made available by the resignation of sophomore Faith Blake last month.
In their opening statements, the two sophomores presented their reasons for running and outlined their visions for the Senate if elected.
"I think that I have positive ideas that could improve the Senate and, through that, improve the school," said Zelinger, who ran unsuccessfully for a Senate seat last semester.
"I'm still ready and willing to put my time toward Senate," he said.
Schwarz listed three main ideas he wanted to bring to the body if elected. He proposed making a list of reliable landlords available for students looking for off-campus housing and providing a bus from Tufts' campus into Boston. He also suggested the creation of an on-campus book fair for students to exchange and sell used books.
When asked by ECOM members what issue he felt most strongly about, Zelinger said that he was most passionate about education at Tufts. Specifically, he noted his interest in putting the syllabi for courses online, extending the drop deadline for classes, and exploring the idea of allowing students to have double minors.
"We could have a more intellectual campus if kids could explore all of their interests," he said.
Schwarz cited his experience convincing the administration at his high school to install solar panels on school buildings as a reflection of his qualifications for the position.
Zelinger cited his realistic approach to spending as a qualification.
"I have a good balance between optimism and realism," Zelinger said. He also noted his participation in Tufts Hillel as a means for reaching out to the student body. Schwarz mentioned his involvement with the Tufts Ballroom Dance Team.
The candidates also discussed the legitimacy of the recently adopted Referendum 3, which grants full voting rights to community representatives and the lack of communication between the Senate and the student body.
"There's a lack of information on campus about how Senate works," Schwarz said, suggesting publishing a weekly e-mail that would inform students of Senate initiatives.
ECOM Chair Katherine McManus, a sophomore, praised the performance of both Schwarz and Zelinger.
"I think they're both very strong candidates," she said. "They both have great ideas and very different ideas on a wide variety of issues from education to student services."
ECOM Public Relations Director Will Yu, a sophomore, commended the energy each candidate brought to the discussion.
"I think they seem to have a genuine willingness to be active in the community," Yu said. "While they both have different opinions, they both seem to have a direction they want to go in."
McManus emphasized the importance of student participation in the election. "We encourage all sophomores to vote on Wednesday, as this election is just as important as any," she said.
Voting for the candidates will commence for sophomores starting at midnight. on Wednesday via Webcenter.
