First ASPSU presidential debate today at 11 a.m.

With student turnout and awareness a perpetual problem in ASPSU elections, today’s first presidential debate will provide a forum for candidates to present their stance on the issues.

The Portland State debate team will be moderating, with KPSU and PSU-TV providing coverage. After the candidates give a brief opening statement, the moderator will ask questions relating to the important campaign issues, including increasing tuition and textbook costs, the workings of the Student Fee Committee (SFC) and Student Activities and Leadership Programs (SALP), and issues with the new recreation center.

After that, the audience will get a chance to put their own questions to the candidates. The debate will take place today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the South Park Blocks stage. Below, the candidates lay out what they hope to accomplish.

Sean Staub
The major issues Sean Staub hopes to address are transparency in student government, the university’s commitment to sustainability and diversity, he said.

“I don’t debate typically,” Staub said, expressing some reservations about the event.

Staub said he believes his experience working with PSU Recycles! and a Salem education lobby will give him credibility.

“I don’t know what to expect,” he said.

Ron Lee
Ron Lee expressed his desire for the pragmatic, responsible leadership he believes ASPSU needs and the importance of conveying that in the debates.

“I hope they decide on the person they actually feel is best able to accomplish their agenda” on problems like cooperation with the SFC and textbook cost, Lee said.

He added that he wants to hear from other students about their issues and questions.

“I hope they can tell I’m committed, and that if I don’t know the answers, I can find out,” Lee said.

Jonathan Sanford
Jonathon Sanford responded immediately and forcefully to the question of what issues he would like to address: “The SFC, we have to talk about. There’s no doubt about it.”

He also expressed concern about the lack of focus on veterans’ issues and the importance of pushing the school to provide more student jobs. He thinks his experiences in the armed forces, working with the Oregon Legislature and doing work-study at Portland State will help him demonstrate real-world experience and credibility.

Other issues Sanford hopes to work on include working with the Muslim Student Association and reaching out to all students through his campaign slogan “1,000 cups of coffee and tea,” meaning he wants to sit down with students and actually drink 1,000 cups of coffee and tea.

Collin LaVallee
Collin LaVallee, a late entrant into the race, said his campaign is focusing on issues including improving facilities and curriculum. LaVallee is a former vice presidential candidate who decided to run for president after his running mate, Theo Malone, dropped out over the weekend due to academic issues.

“Theo and I were on the same page and we will continue with the basic platform and slate,” LaVallee said.

However, today’s debate will be students’ first chance at getting an idea of exactly where LaVallee stands on the issues.

“We may make some adjustments and tailor the platform to [running mate Chris Proudfoot] and I, but we want to keep the same vision,” LaVallee said.