Only four tickets go to last USG debate

By TRACY WILSON
and KATIE EGGERT
Collegian Staff Writer

With just about half of the candidates in attendance and a sparse audience, last night's Undergraduate Student Government presidential and vice presidential debate ended a mere 45 minutes after its start.

Richard Mayewski, debate and publicity elections commissioner, offered apologies to the audience when the debate ended after one round of questions.

During opening statements, Dougie Bennett, presidential candidate, arrived late and announced he would not be attending the remainder of the debate.

Bennett said he and his running mate, Ryan Knauss, would spend the night campaigning at other locations.

"We can be more productive somewhere else," Bennett said. "It is clear all those (students) who came already decided who they were voting for."

Rick Morgan, presidential write-in candidate, expressed his frustration with the lack of attendance.

"There's not enough energy to do this speech. There's not enough people here," Rick Morgan said. "It's come to all our attention that some people have already made up their minds."

Vivek Narayanan, presidential candidate, said he understood other campus events were being held, but expressed his dissatisfaction with the attendance.

"It turned the debate into a farce because the debate is for students to hear what is going on. (Not attending) is not the most responsible thing," he said.

Because the debate was one of three forums for students to meet the candidates, Beth Silvia, presidential candidate, emphasized the importance of attendance.

"I think there needs to be accountability for student leaders," said James Hornick, Silvia's running mate.

Desha Girod and Garrett Fitzgerald, presidential and vice presidential candidates, chose to attend the Jesse Jackson speech last night.

"I think that Jesse Jackson coming to Penn State is very important," Girod said. "It's a shame that the debate was scheduled the same time as he was speaking."

Rob McClure, running mate of Art Spicciati, presidential candidate, did not attend the debate because he was speaking at other student organizations.

Spicciati said he contemplated attending the Jesse Jackson speech before deciding to attend the debate.

Although he said a few students may have been shortchanged, Spicciati respected the decisions of candidates who did not attend.

"I didn't recognize too many new faces (in the audience) or any not wearing a (campaign) shirt," Spicciati said.

• 1999 USG President and Vice President Guide