The room was divided into two: a garden of green versus a sea of blue, with fingers constantly waving in the background. The setting for this colorful gathering was the official debate between undergraduate student government candidates, with the finger-waving indicating support for the speaking candidate, as audience members were not permitted to clap.
The debate, which was moderated by the Elections Board, had an audience primarily of candidates and their party supporters.
First-year history student Jason Lee said he attended the debate because he wasn’t well-informed on the issues.
“This is a good opportunity to hear what’s going on at UCLA,” Lee said, adding he was also there to support his friend Jose Manaiza, fourth-year mathematics and economics student and True Bruins presidential candidate.
The first hour featured debates for the candidates running for the commissioner and vice president positions.
Candidates from Bruins United and Students First! gave different viewpoints on a number of issues for those offices.
Bruins United candidate for internal vice president, third-year sociology student Diane Tanjaquio, repeated the theme of individuality in her debate.
“We need to give independent candidates a chance in this election to show the legitimacy of student government,” Tanjaquio said.
A key platform of Students First! was opening Kerckhoff Hall to more student groups.
Students First! candidate for Facilities commissioner, third-year economics and geography student Angela Cheung said she wanted less-established student groups to have space.
“Kerckhoff is full, but it’s important to find space elsewhere for all groups,” Cheung said.
The external vice presidential debate turned negative, as Students First! candidate and third-year political science student Jeanalee Obergfell accused her opponent of not attending a political conference he claimed to have.
Justin Hotter, the Bruins United candidate and third-year biochemistry student, responded by saying he attended part of the conference, but left early because of personal issues.
The second half of the debate went to the five general representative and four presidential candidates.
Christina Colosimo, a third-year marine biology student and Bruins United candidate for general representative, started the debate by saying that Students First! was disconnected from the student body because there are no South Campus candidates.
Second-year religion studies student and Students First! general representative candidate Sanobar Sajan attacked Bruins United for proposing to add three more general representatives to USAC because she said it would increase bureaucracy and slate politics.
The debate between the presidential candidates was the last segment, with independent candidate and second-year political science and sociology student Dave Valk starting off by saying that most students were apathetic to USAC.
“All of you are divided by the color of your T-shirts when instead you should be united fighting for the students,” Valk said, adding that he believes he could successfully bring together all sides.
Manaiza also said that through talking to students on campus, he has found that few know what USAC is. He added that he believed USAC didn’t interest students because it was based off a party line.
“It’s time to remove politics from USAC,” Manaiza said.
Gregory Cendana, the current Students First! internal vice president, focused his speech on a specific plan he wants to implement: the UCLA student bill of rights.
Cendana said a bill of rights would get students to make choices about their education and hold the administration responsible.
Gabe Rose, the Bruins United presidential candidate and a third-year political science and communication studies student, said his slate was a better choice because Students First! has no new ideas.
“Students First! think USAC is perfect as it is,” Rose said.