Author: Yasmin Alameddine
This Thursday night at 6:45pm, Willard Straight Hall was abuzz with tension and politics. For once, the intense climate was not due to my internal debate over whether or not to eat the free popcorn. It was due to the auspicious Student Assembly’s President Debate.
In true Slope Media style, I will not bore you (and myself) with a long article about the art of persuasion, debate or student government. Instead, here’s a little cheat sheet so you can join the conversation on student politics:
Presidential de-what? Here’s a quick pre-debate summary:
WHO: The Student Assembly (SA),Cornell’s student government, is holding elections for next year’s SA executive board.
WHAT: The presidential and vice presidential candidates debated their opponents in the Willard Straight Memorial Room.
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES: Jeff Breuer ‘16, Juliana Batista ‘16, and Matthew Stefanko ‘16
VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES: Vice President: Emma Johnston ‘17 and Peter Biedenweg ‘17
WHY: A chance for candidates to inform the student body about their platforms and discuss controversial and relevant issues.
What were the Vice Presidential Candidates like?
Emma Johnston ‘16:
Three words to describe the candidate: funny, personable and determined.
Interesting points:
- The Vice President’s role as “the ears” of the Student Assembly President.
- The Vice President’s role should be a flexible and dynamic position.
- The “unspoken issue” about the financial and social divide between students who receive financial aid and those who do not.
Slogan: Be empowered with Emma.
A memorable quote: “We should not belittle small changes the SA has made in the past.”
Learn more about Emma.
Peter Biedenweg ‘17
Three words to describe the candidate: thoughtful, motivated and considerate.
Interesting points:
- His unique perspective on Cornell as a transfer student.
- Having expertise coming from the Student Assembly’s communications committee.
- Promoting health alternatives to keep students healthy outside of Gannett.
A memorable quote: “The SA’s communications committee has done a great job with polling the student body to see what they really want.”
Learn more about Peter.
Okay, now that we’ve covered the veeps, let’s look at the Presidential Candidates:
Jeff Breuer ‘16:
Three words to describe the candidate: down-to-earth, positive and honest.
Interesting points:
- Not fighting against the administration, but rather working with it.
- Not having prior experience on SA as a way to connect to students.
- Inviting students to the discussion to bridge gaps between the student body and the SA.
Slogan: Breuer for President
A memorable quote(s): “You have to really live out this [Presidential] position”
Learn more about Jeff.
Juliana Batista ‘16:
Three words to describe the candidate: firm, approachable and experienced.
Interesting points:
- Alleviating academic burdens like prelims after February break and open course evaluations.
- Working with the Big Red Shuttle and HeForShe to create tangible ways to combat sexual assault.
- Bringing her expertise on administration from her current position as Student Assembly Vice President to the Presidential position.
Slogan: Unite with Batista: Students at the center.
A memorable quote: “We’re going to shoot for the moon, but we still need to stay firmly on the ground.”
Learn more about Juliana.
Matthew Stefanko ‘16:
Three words to describe the candidate: resourceful, unwavering, and realistic.
Interesting topics discussed:
- Investigating increasing costs on the university tuition increase
- Doing more than just sexual assault awareness and focusing efforts on sexual assault prevention.
- Bringing his expertise on byline funding and financial issues from the Student Assembly Vice President of Finance and translating it to the Presidential position.
Slogan: Sticking with Stefanko.
A memorable quote: “There needs to be more anger, more passion; we need to put pressure on the administration.”
Learn more about Matthew.
What was the most shocking part of the debate? At one point, Presidential Candidate Juliana Batista questioned Presidential Candidate Matthew Stefanko’s ability to follow through on tasks, asking, “Is the [Annabel Taylor On-Campus] grocery store done?” Matthew Stefanko replied, “It will be, in August or September.” Let’s just say a gasp from the audience was audible.
What was my favorite part of the debate? When Presidential Candidate Juliana Batista gave Slope Media a little shout out for helping with the HeForShe upcoming campaign.
Who won? I don’t know – what’s with all the questions? Who do you think I am, Anderson Cooper?
Look at you, you’re all caught up now. Vote as an informed Cornelian on March 16th to 17th at assembly.cornell.edu/vote
