SGA Executive candidates prepare for debate

Leah Brown

Candidates running for positions within the Student Government Association are preparing for the executive officer debate on Wednesday.

The debate will begin at 6 p.m. in the Downing Student Union auditorium. Students who attend have the opportunity to win a free iPad mini.

Candidates running for executive vice president and administrative vice president will participate in the debate. Current Chief of Staff Brad Cockrel and current Public Relations Committee Head Nolan Miles, are running for EVP. Office Associate Liz Koehler is the only student running for AVP.

Dean David Lee from Potter College and Herald Editor-in-Chief, Joanna Williams, will be moderating the debate.

Lee was involved in the debate last year as well. It was an interesting exchange of views and a constructive event, he said.

“I suspect [the debate] will be lively, and I expect to learn a good bit about student experience here at WKU,” Lee said.

He and Williams have not yet come up with the questions, but he says they will cover a wide range of topics and ask questions that put the candidates in hypothetical situations. Last year, Lee asked the candidates if they supported the continuation of the purple line.

Cockrel decided to run because most of the changes he wants to see on campus have to do with housing.

The three categories Cockrel wants to change at WKU are community, opportunity and sustainability.

One of his biggest efforts is to provide resident assistances with fully paid housing. Cockrel said WKU is one of the few colleges in Kentucky that do not provide housing for their RAs.

He also wishes to make campus more recycle-friendly.

Miles has been involved in SGA for the past three years. He was also the president of SGA while studying abroad at Harlaxton.

“I have the experience necessary for that position,” Miles said.

Miles’ campaign focuses on student retention. He wants teachers and advisors to promote student organizations in the classrooms.

He also wants to alter meal plans to provide healthier foods on campus.

Miles aspires to become the SGA president at the end of the semester and believes becoming EVP is a good start in the process.

“I have developed a passion for the student government here at Western because we do actually have a strong say in things that are passed and things that affect campus,” Miles said.

SGA elections will be on TopNet beginning on April 8 at 12:01 a.m. until April 9 at 11:59 p.m. The results will be released in the SGA Senate Chambers on April 9 at 11:59 p.m.