USG debate erupts

Pandemonium. The structure of the informal Undergraduate Student Government presidential debate yesterday in front of Willard Building collapsed into pandemonium as soon as marchers paraded to the building crying "Viva Don Knotts!"

"You thought intolerance was never justified," joked USG Presidential Candidate Darin Loccarini in reference to the disruption.

The group shouted nonsense phrases and screeched a piercing, scratchy scream in the midst of the debating candidates. So USG Senate President Mark Sosnowsky retaliated, beginning the cheer "We are. . ." A few students responded, "Penn State!"

The supporters of Don Knotts claimed they were "pulling the strings on Gary Cattell's puppet show."

Eventually, students watching the debate cried for the candidates to talk about the issues, and the candidates returned to the debate at hand, ignoring the "Viva Don Knotts!" supporters.

Representatives from eight of the nine USG presidential tickets showed up at the windy forum of debate.

Although he was in front of Willard for a short time, introducing himself to students, USG Presidential Candidate Thane Fake did not stay for the entire debate.

"I left because the debate was no longer being productive," Fake said. He said candidates started talking out of turn and some were getting more speaking time than others.

Most of the candidates, however, did stay for the entire debate, and they tried to find a common bond with the students, explaining each of their goals as president.

"There's got to be someone who agrees with what you think, out of nine tickets," said USG Presidential Candidate David Lubkemann about the representation of students in this election.

Students need to contact state legislators and tell them about the State College Borough Council conflicts, with such ordinances that state no more than three unrelated people can live together in a townhouse, said USG Presidential Candidate Jason Covener.

"We have to hit (the council) where it hurts," he said. "Believe me, I'm a bastard. I'll do it in a second."

When students asked how the predominantly white, male candidates would represent the minorities and women on campus, USG Vice Presidential Candidate Kendra Ciesla, who stressed her and USG Presidential Candidate Blaine Rummel's effort to talk with individuals, said she has already represented a community of which she is not a part -- she is USG Senate's liaison to the Penn State University Veterans' Organization.

USG Presidential Candidate Hank Saur also expressed his standard for representing minorities and women.

"I think what we're looking for is empathy," Saur said.

USG Presidential Candidate Michael Landsberg and Vice Presidential Candidate Brent Barbe, who was painted completely blue, spoke briefly about the issues, thanking Loccarini for the structure of the debate.

USG Chief of Staff and Presidential Candidate Jaime Desmond and Vice Presidential Candidate John Polk did not attend the debate.

Although some students thought the debate was a good way for them to get to know the candidates, others criticized their issues.

"They need to look at issues that really affect the student body," said Brian Turner (senior-chemistry), a member of USG Academic Assembly. He said he wanted them to talk about concerns such as academic advising, general education and computer fees.