While campaign supporters in bright-colored T-shirts cheered loudly and chanted campaign slogans, Undergraduate Student Government (USG) executive candidates formally debated key issues such as safety, diversity and tuition last night.

The debate started with a two-minute opening statement by each of the six pairs of presidential candidates. The candidates then had two minutes to answer one question specifically tailored to each ticket.

Following the first round of questions, the candidates had an opportunity to challenge one another's platform goals.

They answered questions regarding the feasibility of their goals and why they feel their ideas are superior to the programs already in place.

The debate also focused on how the candidates plan to make USG a more student-centered organization.

Executive candidates Matt Antonelli and John Marsh kicked off the debate by discussing how they plan to ensure the University Park Allocation Committee distributes funds equally to student organizations.

"We are here to put the power back where it belongs, which is in the hands of the students," Marsh said.

Presidential candidate Galen Foulke said he and running mate Luke Adams would improve USG by creating a committee of 20 students and faculty members to revise the currently ambiguous USG Constitution.

Executive candidates Sandip Trivedi and Monica Constantino focused on their goal of combating high tuition rates.

"We are going to unite the other student organizations and send one voice down to Harrisburg," Trivedi said. "If we don't lower tuition, slowly and slowly, this university is going to go from being a flagship, middle-class university to an elite, private university."

Fostering diversity on campus proved to be an important theme throughout the debate.

Presidential candidate Erin Staab said her and vice presidential candidate Ivan Baumwell's goal of implementing a diversity council of all student organizations would allow groups to work together and support each other.

Mariel Gniewoz answered questions about her ticket's plan to implement a student framework to foster diversity. She said the current framework is too faculty-based and needs to be all-inclusive.

Candidates Patrick and Thomas Nowlan focused on their plan to provide students with more incentives to work with the Borough Council members to improve the community.

All of the candidates made it a goal to improve safety on and off campus.

Gniewoz and running mate Cameron Lefevre discussed their goal of developing an interactive safety Web site that would provide students with all the resources the university currently offers in a confidential way.

"If you ever experienced a sexual assault, it can be very hard to walk into a women's resource center and have everyone know or potentially know why you are there," Gniewoz said.

Foulke and Adams discussed their plan to improve the 865-WALK escort service and referred to a recent incident in which a man posing as an escort attempted an assault.

In their closing statements, the candidates finished the debate by discussing the need for change and encouraging students to vote on March 31.

The second executive ticket debate will take place at 7:30 p.m. on March 27 in 102 Forum.