Undergraduate Student Government (USG) executive candidates faced off for the first time last night, debating three simple questions on tuition, greeks and an off-campus union.

Before a crowd of about 100 in 110 Wartik, the candidates first discussed how they would respond to the problem of rising tuition.

"I do not feel USG has done its job in collaboration with CCSG (Council of Commonwealth Student Governments)," said presidential candidate Tim Dorman.

He said his ticket's proposed student organization liaison would help to embrace and empower more students to become involved in helping to reduce tuition.

Presidential candidate Chris Clermont said the university needs to cut down on projects such as the HUB-Robeson Center plaza fountain constructed last summer.

But presidential candidate Ian Rosenberger said the key is getting students to understand more about tuition.

"I think by fighting with the administration, it's like starting a car with root beer in the gas tank," he said. "You're not going to get anywhere."

Vice presidential candidate Anup Misra related a question on involvement in the newly forming off-campus student union to tuition. The union is being developed by USG to assist off-campus students with housing, employment and other issues.

"We just need to make sure that the off-campus student union would be related to something on campus ... just to keep costs down," he said.

Presidential candidate Steven Weiss said the off-campus union sounds similar to his platform for a student-run business, and he used the union question to express his thoughts on USG.

"If it was up to us, we would dismantle the [USG] Senate and replace it with ARHS (Association of Residence Hall Students)," Weiss said, citing the "bureaucracy" in the Senate.

Vice presidential candidate Sara Ryan said she sees the potential for a variety of students to become involved in the union, such as business majors who can help students with apartment contracts.

The third question asked candidates how they would improve relations between the greek community and the university. Students and administrators recently attempted to form a relationship statement between the university and the greek community.

Rosenberger said his platform of light installation in the fraternity district improves relations between the greek community and the borough of State College.

Weiss said no relationship statement is needed because the greek community is overseen by the Interfraternity Council.

"There's no need for the administration to be involved in it," he said.

Dorman said it is USG's job to help solve problems within the community.

"USG's job is to help facilitate communication between them, not to take the ball and run with it," he said.

In their closing statements, some candidates reviewed their platform goals while others highlighted their experience.

Presidential candidate David Davis stressed that he and Ryan are the only ones with internal USG experience and external community experience.

Presidential candidate Sandip Trivedi said that USG is too "overglorified."

"Ladies and gentlemen, what has USG done for you?" he said.

Vice presidential candidate Shahida Shahrir said students should not be swayed by the number of colorful campaign T-shirts, but instead educate themselves on the issues.

Vice presidential candidate Mike Aiello was absent from the debate.