Toothpaste, slinkies and handcuffs helped kick off the first of three debates in the race for Undergraduate Student Government president and vice president last night.

The antics began when USG presidential candidate Mike King whipped out a pair of handcuffs to demonstrate how he said he has been limited by the current structure of USG as USG Senate president.

"For the past year I have been handcuffed," King said, responding to presidential candidate Matt Thomas' accusation that King did little as senate president.

The theatrics were continued during the closing arguments when presidential candidate and former Academic Assembly President Erich May unveiled his set of handcuffs, along with toothpaste and a slinky, in response to King's prop.

"This isn't a theater, this is a USG debate," May said.

Although some found the capers humorous, others were not amused.

"Tonight we have heard so much bullshit," USG presidential candidate and Latino Caucus President Carina Defferrire said, later adding that the debate was just a show, which she found upsetting.

"It was just ridiculous," she said.

The four tickets for USG president and vice president are Defferrire and former Penn State University Veterans Organization Vice President Pat Scanlan; King and Lion Ambassador Lori Pennay; May and April Campbell (junior-Spanish); and Thomas (senior-journalism) and Joy Brown (junior-accounting).

There was also a heated exchange between King and May about the feasibility of platform goals, particularly, expanding the route of the Town Loop.

May proposed adding additional stops and paths that go beyond the Town Loop's current path past Beaver Avenue. But King said the extra routes are not legally possible under current borough restrictions. He added that the size of the roads would hinder a Loop bus from running on them and said the roads would need to be widened.

"Erich has failed to consider zoning requirements," King said. "Borough council will never allow a full-size Loop to pound through a residential district."

May responded by saying that it is a financially sound plan and several streets can be considered and used. May cited the fact that the Centre Area Transportation Authority runs a bus by his house on South Pugh Street. He added that he spoke to several University and State College officials who were willing to discuss various options.

"I'm a good Irishman and I believe in leprechauns, but you're going to need one hell of a pot of gold to pay for what you're promising," King said.

When candidates fielded questions from the audience, they focused heavily on minority issues.

Thomas proposed going to inner city schools and actively recruiting minority students. He added that scholarships should be increased to include not only Black people and Hispanics, but other minorities as well.

Defferrire cited her work as Latino Caucus president as evidence of the experience she has had working with underrepresented groups.

"Students are doing a lot, but administrators need to do more," Defferrire said.