Candidates attend multicultural forum

Four of the eight tickets were not present for the Undergraduate Student Government's Multicultural Affairs Forum.

By DARYL LANG
Collegian Staff Writer

Student leaders heard four tickets for Undergraduate Student Government president voice support for affirmative action and diversity programs last night.

They didn't hear anything from the other candidates.

Only half of the eight tickets for USG president appeared at USG's Multicultural Affairs Forum in the HUB Gallery Lounge, where more than 20 student leaders representing multicultural organizations listened to the candidates.

Michelle Colon, director of USG multicultural affairs, said she invited all the ballot candidates and was disappointed that some of them did not attend.

Caroline Casagrande and Brian Olivo

Diversity requires students to reach the point where they not only respect other cultures, but they value other cultures, Casagrande said.

Roshani Herath and Christine Muchi

Herath and Muchi said it was important for USG leaders to attend multicultural events, and not just sponsor them.

Todd Krout and Karen Skomorucha

Krout and Skomorucha emphasized each person's individuality, and that finding people with similar background makes students feel more comfortable on campus.

Andrea Prinzi and J. P. Jaworski

Jaworski said USG can provide a link to bring together and inform not only different ethnic groups, but also many other diverse student groups.

The other tickets on the ballot, Mario Ciabarra/Allison Szabaga, Rocco Impreveduto/ Marc Nathan, as well as the two write-in tickets, Matt Lohr/B. J. Werzyn and Kornelius P. Spankum/Kendra Ciesla, were not present at the forum.

Ciabarra said he and Szabaga had made other engagements prior to knowledge of the event. Lohr said he wasn't aware of the event.

The other candidates could not be reached for comment last night.