Student government vice-presidential candidate John Cusumano speaks during the DSG debate Wednesday evening. All candidates running for president, positions on the executive board and graduate member positions answered questions from a moderator. ZACHARY TAYLOR / THE DEPAUW
The candidates for DePauw University Student Government President and Vice-President went head-to-head in a debate Wednesday evening in the Peeler Auditorium.
Moderated by DePauw Student Government (DSG) Parliamentarian, Kay Paracha, the debate included all candidates running for positions of the executive board and graduate member positions. After two questions to executive board candidates, the debate turned to the two presidential hopefuls.
The field for president is slim, featuring only two candidates: juniors Claire Halffield and Perrin Duncan.
Duncan has served two years as a senator and is currently the DSG Vice President of Academic Affairs. Halffield has served as DSG Assistant Director of Public Relations, Parliamentarian and is currently a senator.
Halffield and Duncan, along with their running mates--Charlie Douglas for Halffield and John Cusumano for Duncan--were first asked how they would help current Dean of School of Music Mark McCoy transition into his presidency. Duncan said she hoped to use DSG senators to gather input from students which she would relay to McCoy. She also noted her current position on McCoy's transcition comittee. Halffield volunteered a different approach, offering that she hoped to host events where students could interact with McCoy.
Candidates were also asked about their qualifications to be effective representatives of student issues.
Halffield was surprised by the types of questions asked.
“I think it was really interesting, the questions were kind of unexpected,” she said. “I wish there [were] more opportunities to show our platform.”
Voting will begin Thursday, April 21 at 12:01 a.m. and will conclude at 11:59 p.m. on April 23. Students can vote on e-services by clicking on voting booth under the campus life tab. Winners will be announced through social media at noon on Sunday.