Student Media, including Technician, Nubian Message and WKNC, will introduce a new structure at this year’s Student Government debate. For the first time in recent history, candidates will have the opportunity to engage in debate following candidates’ answers in the second round of questions.
Technician Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Carter, a third-year studying political science, will serve as moderator at the debate. Carter formerly served as a panelist at last year’s debate during his time as Technician’s news editor.
“I want there to be engagement,” Carter said. “I don’t know if there will be just because we’ve never done this before. I think it’s a lot fairer to both the candidates who are running to be able to discuss and debate with one another, and it’s also fair to the student body to actually hear those discussions and disagreements.”
The debate, set to take place at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Talley 4140, will have two rounds of questions per position. Vice presidential candidates will go first, followed by their presidential running mates.
Three panelists will be present, including Technician’s news editor, Mary Dare Martin, a third-year studying English and communication, Nubian Message’s editor-in-chief, Anahzsa Jones, a fourth-year studying English, and Technician’s social media analytics manager, Lorcan Neill, a third-year studying political science and communication.
“I have looked at all the platforms, read them extensively, really tried to determine what makes them unique, what kind of questions can be developed from looking at how these candidates have presented themselves on their platforms,” Martin said, discussing how she prepared for the debate.
Looking forward to the event, Martin discussed what she hopes to be an informative debate.
“I am hoping that these candidates will be able to answer our questions no matter what it may be,” Martin said. “I hope that they will give answers that will inform the student body population on who they are as candidates, really what they strongly believe in while also making sure that they’re not just looking to try to please everyone. I would hope that they stand up for what their platform is saying and not just trying to win the popular vote.”
Jones discussed why she found it important to include Student Media representatives on the panel.
“I am excited to be a part of it,” Jones said. “I do recognize it is important for a Nubian Message representative to be on the panel just because of our mission and the part of campus that we represent, as well as all the other news outlets.”
Jones is also looking forward to the new debate structure to get to know the candidates who will have a significant role in Student Government.
“The second question just gives them another opportunity to just let us get to know them,” Jones said. “That’s the other part of it — we don’t know these people. They can do all the campaigning in the world, but we have no idea who these people are.”
Jones has been in contact with Carter over the past few weeks to prepare for the event.
“It’s a very hectic process especially coordinating such a large event,” Carter said. “We’ve been working closely with the [Student Government] advisers and the Board of Elections chair — that was also up in the air, they just got a new BOE chair very short time ago, so I didn’t really have anyone to coordinate with over the year. But it’s all come together pretty fast, and it’s all come together very well.”
The first round will include four questions, which each candidate will be required to answer. One of the three panelists will have to ask an additional question, due to the reinstatement of formerly disqualified candidates, Taylor Pulliam, a third-year studying political science, and Catherine Duble, a third-year studying business administration.
The second round will include a specific question to each candidate, followed by a timed period of debate and discussion.
“As Student Media, we’re just facilitating this,” Carter said. “This is a platform that we are building for the candidates to speak to the students. I think it’s very important for members of the student body to be able to have that platform, to vote and express their ideas through the candidates they are voting for, and I believe it’s incredibly important for the candidates to be able to talk to the student body.”
For students unable to attend in person, WKNC will be live recording the debate for students, and Technician’s social media team will also be streaming via Facebook Live.
