Five student body president candidates and their running mates gathered at the debate hosted by the Technician Thursday in the overcrowded Talley Governance Chambers to discuss their views on racial climate, sexual assault, political correctness and mental health.
Mediators at the event included representatives from the Technician, the Afrikan American Student Advisory Council and WKNC 88.1 FM.
Five students are running for the student body president and vice president positions: Nate Bridgers and running mate Hayes Griggs; Cody Long and running mate Mitchell Moravec; Paul Nolan and running mate Brayndon Stafford; Rye Robinson and running mate JJ Jones; and Harrison Preddy and running mate Caroline Moody.
Candidates discussed their platforms and overall plans in their opening statements, before answering questions regarding their priorities, inclusion and diversity, the It’s On Us campaign, and how to promote mental health at the university.
Current student body vice president Nate Bridgers, a junior studying finance, and running mate Hayes Griggs, a junior studying political science, discussed the cost of college as a major part of their platform.
“The cost of higher education has gotten out of control,” Bridgers said. “I want NC State to continue to be a flagship university that anyone, no matter what their socioeconomic background is, can attend.”
Bridgers and Griggs also said they would improve sustainability, inclusivity and student life on campus. Griggs said that in addition to teaching women that it’s OK for them to come forward regarding cases of sexual assault, it is also necessary to teach men to not commit acts of sexual assault.
Bridgers said he has a proven record that demonstrates his qualifications for the position of student body president. Griggs added that Bridgers has already established connections within the administration that will allow him to be a successful student body president.
Current student senate president Cody Long, a senior studying political science, and Mitchell Moravec, a senior studying psychology, said they’d like to focus on integrity, inclusion and innovation.
“What drove us in this campaign is there’s a lot of issues on campus, and there’s a lot of talk about those issues,” Long said. “Mitchell and I are about doing things: We’re about coming into an administration and actually impacting real change and empowering students to do the same.”
Long identified himself as a feminist and said he recognizes his privilege as a white male. He and Moravec also stressed the importance of student involvement, advocating that students should have a greater role in how Talley Student Union operates and in the tuition and fees committee. Long said that more so than his experience, it’s his passion that will drive him to make a difference at NC State.
Paul Nolan, a senior studying materials science and engineering, and Brayndon Stafford, a junior studying environmental science, said they wanted to better NC State by increasing diversity, cultural competency and student representation. Nolan describes campus as “the holding doors open culture,” in that students at NC State both literally and figuratively hold doors open for one another.
In regards to political correctness, Nolan said face-to-face discussions are important to changing the minds of students. In discussing mental health on campus, Nolan said it is necessary to recognize that mental health is multifaceted and can be fostered with many resources in addition to the Counseling Center.
Rye Robinson, current member of the Student Government executive board and a junior studying business administration, and vice president candidate J.J. Jones, a junior studying political science, want to focus on transparency within Student Government, using the slogan “For Every Student.” Robinson and Jones called for the renovating of the Student Government’s website to make it more accessible to students, and they want SG to become more involved with the student body.
Jones said diversity means everyone has “a place at the table,” but inclusion is essential to making people feel welcome at that table.
Robinson admitted he is not an expert in diversity and that he is always learning. He said that as a transfer student, he brings a different perspective
Harrison Preddy, a sophomore studying political science, and Carolina Moody, a freshman in First Year Engineering, are the youngest candidates. They were the last to give their platforms and addressed some criticism they have received as underclassmen, and as Preddy has no affiliation with Student Government.
“I wouldn’t run if I thought that the people around here could do it,” Preddy said. “It’s time for a fresh perspective. It’s time for a new phase, new ideas and better engagement of the student body.”
The Preddy/Moody platform prioritizes lowering student fees, club autonomy and transparency.
In regards to political correctness, Preddy said while he is a strong advocate for free speech, hate speech is not acceptable. Moody said diversity of perspectives, inclusion and the mixing of ideas is important to them both. Preddy recounted his success in working for grassroots campaigns in Granville County, North Carolina, as proof of his accountability and experience.
Other positions up for election include student senate president and student body treasurer. A full list of candidates can be found at https://sg.students.ncsu.edu/elections/candidate-information/. Polls open Monday at 8 p.m. and close Tuesday at 8 p.m.
You can listen to WKNC’s recording of the Student Government debate here. Polls open Monday, Feb. 29 at 8 p.m. and close Tuesday, March 1 at 8 p.m.
