Candidates for student government executive positions addressed current issues and the their vision for Eastern’s future in an election debate Monday night.

Current vice president of academic affairs, Jessica Catto, introduced the candidates by political party affiliation.

Candidate for student body president, senior political science major, Alison Mormino, said her position essentially involves attending a lot of meetings and her current busy schedule has readied her for the job.

Mormino, running with the Students’ Voice party, also commented on the veto power she would obtain provided she wins the election.

“I would use veto power if a situation came up where the Student Senate was uneducated or uninformed about the situation,” Mormino said.

Tim Edwards of the Common Sense party and Amy Leonard of the Students’ Voice party highlighted their experience with finances as they vied for the position of Student Vice President for Financial Affairs.

Edwards, a junior speech communication major, mentioned his work on the Tuition and Fee Review Committee and said he has been able to see how monies get allocated. He also wants recognized student organizations to get official money from the apportionment board.

“This will give (RSOs) a chance to get additional funding from the (Apportionment Board),” Edwards said.

Edwards also wants to help create a pamphlet to send to all residence halls that breaks down the student fees.

Leonard, a sophomore political science major, said she has served on AB, a committee whose budget is made up of student fees and funds other university boards, for two semesters.

Leonard plans to look at a “frozen tuition” program, which locks the price of tuition so when a student enrolls his first year tuition fees will remain the same as the year he graduates.

Leonard also wants to get outside donations for Eastern through alumni, government grants and the private sector.

Lisa Flam, who is running for student vice president for student affairs, is running unopposed and did not have anyone to debate, but answered several questions from the audience members.

Flam, a sophomore journalism and speech communications major, plans to encourage RSOs and Greek organizations to work together on philanthropy projects, community service and fund-raising efforts which will help these organizations make the community recognize that students are making a difference.

Independent candidate Justin Brinkmeyer, a senior geography and technology education major, and Ronnie Deedrick of the Students’ Voice party debated issues in support of their campaigns for the position of student vice president for academic affairs.

Brinkmeyer’s main focus is finding more scholarship money to lessen rising. He would also like to improve technology on campus by asking students what can be done to improve technology including a plan to improve technology through corporate donations of older computers.

Deedrick, a sophomore political science major, said he wants to implement his “pick a prof” program, which will allow students to review the curriculum of professors and student comments about the professors before picking a class and professor.

Deedrick also said he wants to continue to improve faculty, student and administration relations.

Marty Ruhaak, a sophomore history major, of the Students’ Voice party, who is running for student vice president of public affairs cited his experience working with Charleston’s Mayor Dan Cougill and said he would like to tone down Project 21, a state police program cracking down on underage drinking in college towns. Ruhaak said he believes the program unfairly targets students.

Ruhaak also wants to lobby more in Springfield next semester with the student action team in order to raise funds for Eastern from the state.

Skye Brouwer, candidate for vice president for public affairs, was not at the debate.