Question 1: Candidates to speak for two minutes about some of the basics of their platforms.
Calvin Lewis: Primary goal is to enhance transparency in student government by publicizing reports and having town hall-style meetings; promoting partnerships between student organizations.
Tim Longest: I’m running on three values: closer community- connecting the university with the community; a more inclusive student government, including the “Hark the Sound” website; to promote the “Carolina way,” aka being a university of the people.
Will Leimenstoll: Two main points: Sustainability- 3 E’s: Efficiency, ? , Environment; protecting the university as a proud public institution.
Question 2: Name, Year, Majors & Group Affiliations
Tim: Economics and Philosohpy, DiPhi member, Community Empowerment Fund, member of the Student Audit committee.
Calvin: Peace War and Defense Major, works for Safe Walk and TOPO, member of Interactive Theatre and in the ROTC, Orientation Leader this past summer.
Will: Environmental Studies major, Pi Kappa Phi, Environmental Affairs Committee Co-chair, member of Presbyterian campus ministries, Orientation Leader
Question 3: Most pressing issue facing students?
Tim: Getting back to the university; keeping our “Carolina way.”
Calvin: Preserving the student experience despite tuition hikes.
Will: Tuition cuts.
Question 4: Relationship between executive & legislative branches
Tim: Acted as clerk of student congress. There can be tense issues, but I think I’d be able to create a strong coalition between the branches and make sure they advocate for students.
Calvin: Partnership is a key point of my platform. Branches need to work together. This can be done through a series of forums, think tanks, and task forces.
Will: I’ve been involved in the executive since my first year; haven’t been involved in legislature. Thinks it’s an example of the problem. Need to also involve the Honor Court. Possible open house for each of the branches.
Question 5: Relationship with ASG?
Tim: The first act of my administration would be to contact all SBPs in the system and making sure communication is a major part of the platform. ASG has some serious issues and needs some reform, but we should maintain contact.
Calvin: I feel that the student body should decide whether we should pay a fee; but the network is important. 250,000 students are a lot more important than 25,000; it will be helpful to have this coalition going forward.
Will: I think the ASG fee should remain; however, I would let the student body make that decision. ASG can seem inefficient, but it is a tremendous resource with a lot of potential, especially now when we should be reaching out to our allies.
Question 6: How would you approach the balance between affordability and elite university status?
Tim: UNC is a university of the people, “or at least it was.” It cannot be preserved with these tuition increases. We need to recognize that we can be both affordable and quality. We need a low-tuition model funded by the state and we need to demand that.
Calvin: There is a very delicate line we have to balance between retaining faculty and providing a quality education. It is not a one-person approach; we have to give individuals the opportunity to give input. We need to partnership and create a dialogue.
Will: UNC has always been a proud public institution and we should not start be a state-supported system (as opposed to a state-funded system). I think Thomas Ross’ 2-year plan is great and provides us with flexibility. However, it is something we need to talk about on a larger format, but I want to think long term.
Question 7: What can students realistically do in the tuition fight?
Tim: Unfortunately, we have to “take what we can get.” The SBP cannot influence the decisions of the Board of Trustees. We need to realize our power is representing the people of NC. Get out and vote; make it a voting issue. Contact your legislators.
Calvin: The key power the SBP has is the power of influence. I favor Jasmine Jones’ approach, who took the time to establish a relationship with the Board of Trustees. I do not think we can stop tuition from rising, but it is very feasible to slow it down a lot.
Will: We need to reach out to other universities and local politicians. Start a website to bring together all the financial resources available at UNC and better publicize them.
Question 8: Name one NON-LEE STORROW councilman
Tim: Penny Rich.
Calvin: Can’t answer.
Will: Do not know.
Question 9: Name one Democratic gubernatorial candidate
Tim: Bill Faison
Calvin: No idea.
Will: Is Erskine Bowles running? No? I like him.
Question 10: Stance on Amendment One?
Tim: As SBP, I will actively campaign against Amendment 1. We should campaign to represent the students and be a moral compass when the state isn’t.
Calvin: Against it. There should be a clear separation between church and state.
Will: Firmly against it. I’m kind of embarrassed that NC is even considering it.
Questions from the Audience
Question 1: Current CH plans to limit parking, housing, etc. in the community? How do you plan to deal with students in Northside moving forward?
Tim: As a major part of my platform, I would create a Good Neighbor pledge to get people involved. I would also work closely with Lee Storrow to make sure we have a strong voice in town politics.
Calvin: I would work through SG and the office of student affairs and the town to make sure we have a voice in future decisions.
Will: We need to have a liaison between the town and the university. Creation of a “Fix my Town” website that will help off-campus students in much the same way that the “Fix my Room” works for Carolina students.
Question 2: If the SB doesn’t wanna pay for the SG fee and Congress is okay with backing out, what would your plans be?
Tim: I would contact every SBP and create a new body (compared to 1972) that consisted of the 17 SBPs, with one representing the association at a time.
Calvin: Backing out of ASG would essentially only affect the fee; we’re still a part of the system. We should still partner with other campuses by creating a plan, getting feedback, and enacting that plan. I would directly work with other SBPs on an informal scope.
Will: We should still work with other SBPs in more informal ways. If we back out, I would continue interaction and encourage them to get more involved in their local politics.
Question 3: With budget cuts, a lot of arts funding has been slashed, what are your plans to support the arts on campus?
Tim: I would ensure funding it two ways: create a database of arts for students; look into the plans started by Hogan Medlin to keep the arts.
Calvin: I support the idea of an arts festival. I feel performance is a great way to reach people. As far as funding, we could put together a task force to seek funding. There are a lot of people that don’t want the arts to disappear and would donate.
Will: Idea of “Art Talks.” Have alums from the arts community do “Ted Talks” types of videos to give advice and inspire current students. Also give students and faculty opportunities to do art talks.
Question 4: How do you plan to reach out to SBPs that don’t want to talk with you?
Tim: I will contact them on the first day in office.
Calvin: I would definitely use my stipend money to drive over there. It’s making them realize we’re genuine.
Will: I would take a road trip over there and make them talk to me. ASG is too important.
Question 5: Where would you look for funding from outside sources?
Tim: Corporations investing in NC. Research triangle and banking in Charlotte. The future of the state is contingent on the success of the university system.
Calvin: Seek input from the community and campus as to who may be interested in donating. Create task forces to reach out to corporations and past public donors.
Will: Work with the Development Office at UNC. Individual, family, and corporate donors. The SBP gets tickets to basketball to twist arms and get funding. I would twist a lot of arms. We are the future of the state.
Question 6: Transit tax?
Tim: I am aware and I am for it. It will help defer costs from the student body. It could also bring other infrastructure into the area.
Calvin: I was unaware, but would do a lot of research.
Will: I love it. We don’t have our own light rail and it’s about time we got on it. I’ve emailed county commissioners to express my support for it.
Final Points:
Tim: Thank you. I know many people don’t have faith in SG, but we can move forward and change the way SG is run.
Calvin: Thank you. I plan to execute. I have lots of experience on campus and with students.
Will: Thanks again. The biggest thing facing UNC is the tuition issue and we should use my plan of 3 E’s to keep Carolina proudly public.
Winner: Tim Longest- 14, Will Leimenstoll- 11, Calvin Lewis- 1
