Recap of SGA Presidential Debate
Source: Unsplash, Mimi Thian https://unsplash.com/photos/slWBjTGhREQ
The Marist Student Government Association (SGA) held a debate Thursday for the upcoming presidential elections. The presidential and vice-presidential candidates include Caleb Davis '24 & Martín Varona '24, Gabriel Borbon '23 & Klanell Lee '24 and Vanessa Toic '23 & Nandini Narula Bajpai '25.
Voting has been postponed indefinitely, due to complaints brought to the Grievance Committee.
The main topics debated included housing, transparency between SGA and the student body, Resident Assistant concerns and campus housing issues. Safety and security, the recent break-ins on campus, and Title IX were also a large part of the discussion. The candidates addressed the changes to the student government they would implement in order to help or resolve these subject matters.
Here is a recap of the candidates’ answers to each question. (Note: The following questions were edited slightly for brevity and clarity.)
Each campaign has voiced concerns about SGA’s visibility, Housing, Maintenance, and student life. What would each of your administrations do differently to better serve students?
Toic said, “If it were to be my administration, I would make sure that every single person knows that they can go to SGA for answers. It should be our job to pressure Marist Maintenance.” She said that it is the lack of awareness for what SGA does that makes getting in contact with Maintenance even more difficult for students.
“Because of the efforts of SGA, I was involved this summer with the houses of Fulton, Lower West and Upper West… antimicrobial paint will be painted in the houses,” said Davis, referring to the persistent issues of mold growth in the townhouses. “There will be sheetrock removed to prevent this from happening again.” He added that this would be the type of actions he would pursue if elected.
Borbon believes part of the solution to resolve issues involves reforming the procedures used to address maintenance concerns. “The best way to implement a system in which we all make a proper response in a timely manner is to implement a similar system to one of the help desk and IT department with the ticketing system so there can be a response,” he said. Borbon stated that the process of these systems should be made more simple and accessible.
How does your administration plan to increase SGA’s visibility and interactions among the Marist student body?
Varona shared that Instagram is a great way to communicate with students. Varona said, “We plan to target more of the whole school and create more student engagement and continue to use our marketing tactics and be able to move door to door and use our effective email system.”
Borbon explained that he will be taking inspiration from other organizations and councils that have been successful with collaboration. He said, “I think a very important thing I have learned while working with the commuter council is to ensure collaboration not only with yourself but also with numerous groups as well.”
In Toic’s answer, she gave some ideas of future projects and the importance of making interactions buzzworthy. Toic said, “What works is notoriety and word of mouth. If you create something that is enjoyable and fun enough to go to, then people will talk about it and actually want to go. You need excitement; you need buzz.”
What initiatives from the old administration do you plan to continue? What initiatives undertaken by the past administration could have been improved upon?
Borbon believed the administration did a great job with housing for students who could not go home over breaks [international students, students who live far away, etc.]. He plans to continue and improve upon this, and possibly lower prices for housing over breaks by different initiatives.
Toic expressed that the current administration’s best initiative has been the feminine hygiene care inside the bathrooms in the buildings. She suggested this could be improved further by putting them into dorms or even care packages in Health Services. Toic plans to enhance safety outreach for students and inform them about the resources available to students.
Davis believed SGA’s collaborations with other Marist clubs and activities were great, especially with COVID. However, safety for housing needs to be improved and will be a focus if he is elected.
What would your ticket do to promote higher levels of transparency, cooperation and trust next academic school year?
Narula Bajpai shared that mental health is going to be a large part of her advocacy. “We want to focus on catering to those unanswered voices and make sure no one feels left out in any avenue of their lives,” she explained.
Davis said, “Martín and I plan to be very visible as student body president and vice president so that students know who is accountable for their issues.” Davis and Martín meant that in the literal sense that they will be available and seen, so people can come to them for help.
“I think the best way to increase the transparency of the student government is through actually sitting down and talking to the people,” Borbon said. He gave specific examples, such as taking the time to talk to his peers in places like the dining halls.
How will your administration help voice student concerns to security (in light of last semester’s break-ins and burglaries), and what recommendations would you make to security?
Davis stated that Marist needs to increase security and improve upon the structural housing for dorming. Davis also recommended an increase in the visibility of security guards, and adding more foot patrols on campus.
Lee, the current Vice President for Safety and Security, mentioned that the school is working on a safety app and a student auxiliary, which will incorporate student volunteers to act as supplemental security on campus.
Toic shared that Marist needs to be accountable for the mechanical issues [broken doors, window frames, locks, A/C, heat, etc.] that could lead to possible security issues. She also added that, regarding Title IX and mental health safety, security needs to be increased to further proper housing options for those who feel unsafe in their living situation.
How can SGA advocate on behalf of RAs to Housing and what are your opinions about action the school should take regarding RAs?
Lee, a current RA, expressed that mental health check-ins need to be set in place for RAs, and emphasized the importance of providing more opportunities for RAs to hold additional campus work-study jobs, so they can afford enough food if it isn’t covered in their meal plan.
Toic stated RAs are subject to unfair amounts of pressure in their positions. Narula Bajpai added that she will be an RA next year and can internally implement change.
Davis said that the job of an RA should be simplified, and there needs to be better compensensation for the position.
How do you believe your administration can help bridge the gap between the Maintenance and the student body to improve the experience?
Toic said that she would personally go to Maintenance with direct communication, and noted that budgets to address issues need to be increased. Varona suggested the usage of a feature on iLearn to message maintenance directly. He also believes that issues regarding maintenance should be handled through another department instead of placing the responsibility on RAs. Lee said that SGA should take pictures and be present in the reporting of maintenance issues to hold the office accountable for addressing problems.
In the open-ended discussion, Davis brought up the importance of off-campus safety for students, even if they live off-campus, and the protection Marist still owes them. He shared that students need to be aware of the help they can get, even if they are not abiding by the school’s conduct code (i.e., underage drinking).
During the open discussion, Toic requested that her peers use trigger warnings when speaking about assault. Toic and Narula Bajpai then asked their fellow candidates, “How do you plan to follow through on your promises [in reference to Title IX and safety and security on campus] when you have already had the platform?”
An important topic the candidates discussed was the Title IX office and the overall call to improve the handling of cases reported by students. Toic’s campaign had a centralized emphasis on improving the safety implementations and procedures for those who experience any type of sexual violence on the Marist campus.