The Student Body Elections Debate, held by Syracuse University’s Student Association Monday night, was filled with great recommendations to improve students’ experience at Syracuse University. The debate fostered conversation among the candidates for the next president, vice president and comptroller.

Ultimately, the best choice for SA president and vice president is clear following the debate — Jalen Nash and Raymond Perez.

Although each team had different solutions, all agreed that the biggest issues on campus were diversity, transparency and communication. In order for SU to be more successful in solving these issues, there needs to be better communication between students and the administration.

The partnership of Nash and Perez seems genuine. Their responses showed that they have the students’ best interests at heart. This team had the courage to voice the issues of marginalized groups. To do that in a public setting when also trying to earn votes is extremely powerful.

Nash and Perez show potential to make a difference on campus.

Nash believes SA needs a leader who will not only make an impact now, but will change the university for students to come. Nash said that we all want equality and to be able to feel safe on this campus.

When Perez spoke you could hear his passion. When discussing Summer Start, a program through which accepted students can ease into their first semester by taking classes during the summer, Perez advocated for the marginalized communities that benefited from it. This made him stand out from all the other candidates. He referred the program to as a family several times.

“We all joined organizations to feel at home, to feel a part of something when you take that away from someone you are taking away a piece of them as well,” Perez said in his closing statement.

All in all, based on their performance from the debate, I believe that Raymond Perez and Jalen Nash are best suited to hold the positions of president and vice president.

Students will have the opportunity to vote from April 8 to April 11. So, make sure your voice is heard in this election too.

DISCLAIMER: Jalen Nash is an assistant copy editor in The Daily Orange’s features department. He does not work for or interact with the Opinion section nor does he influence its editorial content in his capacity as an assistant copy editor.

Maria Sanchez is a sophomore communication, rhetoric studies and political science dual major. Her column appears bi-weekly. She can be reached at mfsanche@syr.edu.

Published on April 1, 2019 at 11:38 pm