With ASUA primary elections almost one week away, students have the chance to get informed and put their 2 cents in about the candidates.

The Arizona Daily Wildcat is sponsoring the first presidential debate not sponsored by the Associated Students of the University of Arizona Feb. 23 at noon on the bottom floor of the UofA Bookstore.

"The idea was to create an independent debate separate from ASUA so that our reporters can ask educated questions of the candidates," said Saul Loeb, Wildcat editor in chief. "It is all for the students to make educated decisions as to who is best to lead the student body next year."

J.P Benedict, ASUA president, said the debate is a good idea because different questions can be asked and student issues can be addressed.

The ASUA-sponsored candidate forum will take place Wednesday at noon on the UA Mall.

Dan Suh, ASUA elections commissioner, said debates play a big role in determining which candidates students will support.

Both forums will be important for presidential candidates, as only two will advance from the primary elections on Feb. 25 and 26.

Suh said students' number-one complaint is that they're not familiar with the candidates and election issues.

The forums help the candidates get their names out, and also let them discuss their platforms, Suh said.

In addition to informing students, Suh said the candidates should educate themselves.

"They should have a speech prepared and know all the current issues students are concerned about," Suh said.

But presidential candidate Brian Raphel said he'd rather be blindsided.

"It makes it more fun to think on your feet," said Raphel, a business junior.

Students who attend the debates will hear Raphel talk about his platform: returning kegs to campus, holding tailgating parties on the weekends, extending the add/drop deadline and increasing security in parking lots.

"I can't wait. I promise there will be interesting debates," he said.

Meanwhile, presidential candidate Alistair Chapman said he is happy for the opportunity to share his ideas and has spent hours researching his points, speaking to five or six clubs every night in order to prepare for the debates.

"I am really confident and prepared. I hope students have questions so I can share my knowledge," said Chapman, a molecular and cellular biology senior.

Chapman would like to increase student voting on campus through student polls, make advisers more responsible for what they tell students to do, and work with the Arizona Board of Regents to stabilize tuition.

Presidential candidate Amanda Meaker said she has been doing research on tuition and student fees so she can present reasonable and factual arguments to students and fellow candidates during the debate.

"I'm simply going to go up and say exactly what I want to do and the vision I see for ASUA next year," said Meaker, an industrial engineering junior.

She said she wants to get in touch with the student body through "pulse" surveys that would allow students to weigh in on issues like tuition.

Josh Shapiro, presidential candidate and economics junior, said he will push for the need for change in ASUA during the debates.

"I'm the only student running that is standing up to ASUA," he said. "I represent a lot more people when I say I want ASUA to change."

Benedict said the debates are important and that students should come since it's their chance to see the candidates square off.

Benedict said he also encourages students to attend the student activity fee forum tomorrow from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Gallagher Theater in the Student Union Memorial Center.

At the forum, Collaboration Board members will present students a draft that explains the amount and structure of the fee.