Sparks fly at Pres. debate

Adam F. Jarrold Arizona Daily Wildcat Associated Students of the UA incumbent President Rhonda Wilson speaks on presidential candidate Gilbert Davidson's allegations that she did not live up to her previous campaign promises. The two debated last night in the Memorial Student Union Rincon Room.

Though both candidates have four years of ASUA experience, their solutions to university issues differ.

Each candidate is running on Student Union renovations and addressed their past involvement in Student Union planning and the future of the issue.

Wilson said she has made sure Student Union legislation gets through the external checks of the Arizona Board of Regents and state legislature.

"We can work very hard and adapt a plan and have a vision for the union, but if we don't get approval by the board of regents and state legislature than it will never become a reality," Wilson said.

Senate Chairman Gilbert Davidson said he has focused his work on the Student Union over the past two years at the university level, including researching the issues and sitting on the Student Union Advisory Council.

"You have to first have the support of the student body and of the administration and from there you can go on to with a unified voice to the regents and the administration," Davidson said.

The candidates were asked questions by a five-member panel with representatives from KAMP, MEChA, Residence Hall Association, International Students Association and the Arizona Daily Wildcat editorial board.

Members of the audience also asked questions of the candidates. About 25 students were present.

ISA representative Bevin McArthur questioned how the opponents would handle internal communication problems in ASUA.

McArthur asked the candidates what they plan to do to improve ASUA communication to make a more efficient government for students.

Gilbert said that as the senate chairman, he has met with every program and service director to built relationships.

"Things like that show the directors that you care about their organization," Davidson said.

Davidson acknowledged that there has been a lack of communication and support among all of ASUA this year.

To prevent this next year, he said he would invite different members of ASUA to Senate meetings and cabinet meetings.

Wilson said ASUA needs to start having monthly meetings to discuss what is going on.

"We need to promote more interaction on the ASUA listserv and something that we started to try this year was a newsletter that we would inform different areas what was going on so we could support each other," she said.

Wilson felt she has a lot to offer in a second year with the benefit of already understanding the system.

Davidson said ASUA is about students, ideas and getting things implemented.

"We as a group have an opportunity to move forward and have new leadership in ASUA. There has been a tradition in ASUA of a new student body president every year. This is something that shouldn't be broken."