SGA candidates discussed their proposals for SGA, seeking to persuade students, voters, with much of the debate centering on how to improve student life and cooperation between ICE and FIU Police.
Jorge Cardona | Staff Writer
This past Tuesday, Feb. 17, the candidates for the different SGA executive positions faced off in a series of public debates, bringing the candidates for BBC Governor, SGA Vice President, and SGA President together to talk about their proposed programs.
The presidential debate brought three candidates front and center, each of them sharing their priorities should they win. These three candidates are Alyssa Mederos, current SGA Chief of Staff; German Mata, current SGA Senator; and Trey Saunders, current Housing Senator.
The three candidates promised to put student interests first, mainly proposing to address concerns over parking, food security, and student housing.
Mederos proposed more SGA outreach through greater student engagement and transparency.
“I think it’s so important to be forward-facing and to be engaging because I think that is how you build trust with the students, and I think that is something I have been able to do this year.”
Mederos promised to work on increasing SGA visibility and accessibility among FIU students, promoting tabling and events with FIU partners in the best interest of the students. She also promised to work closely with the Student Pantry, promoting the Food-for-Fines program, which would forgive student parking tickets in exchange for a donation to the pantry.
Her running mate, Isabella Romeo, who is the current Speaker of SGA Senate, added in the Vice Presidential debate that as VP, she would work with the President to ensure transparency, accountability, and clear communication between the executive and legislative, as well as placing an emphasis on community service.
“I just want to point out that accountability is in our name, and that it’s one of my biggest whys, along with transparency and trust within the leaders that are elected to these positions.”
Mata summed up his proposals for SGA President in the phrase, “Set up for Success”, promising greater communication from SGA towards the student body and SGA events providing tangible services to students.
“I want to set up students for success. That is my main point and the point of Florida International University.”
He also promised to take a stand against the 287G agreement between FIU Police and the federal government, promoting cooperation between the university’s police department and ICE, stating that it diminishes the safe learning environment for students and that it is an affront to FIU values.
“I will stand against ICE on campus. I will stand against the 287G agreement…I will go against the current administration in this school that is upholding this policy.”
Mata’s running mate, Jerilyn Davis, current SGA CASE Senator, further added in the VP debate that it will be her goal to build a rapport between the SGA Senate and Executive Board, fostering student engagement, and promoting community service from SGA.
Saunders also proposed greater communication and transparency from the SGA President, promising to meet with students and be open to communicating with them on a regular basis. He also promised to be an advocate for student housing, promoting on-campus housing for juniors and seniors.
Saunder’s running mate, Alexander Jovanovic, current executive board member for the Association for the Advancement of Latino Professionals, promised to work closely with FIU donors to create effective strategies for the student housing problem on campus.
Jovanovic also leveraged his experience in business administration as an advantage, which would allow him and Saunders to keep their administration’s goals in line and on time.
The Biscayne Bay Campus Governor debate brought Sarah Mayorca and Tanner Croddy as candidates, both promising greater visibility for the BBC campus and its students.
Mayorca, currently a student journalist for Caplin News, advocated for greater student engagement in BBC, proposing events which would aim to boost school spirit among BBC students and promised to be a voice for BBC within SGA.
Croddy, currently a BBC Senator in SGA, proposed using student surveys to gauge student needs and priorities and promised to act as a middleman between BBC and FIU departments to address student needs and issues.
He also proposed increased funding for BBC student life through RSOC and expanding student job opportunities and dining options on campus, as well as reinstating free printing for students.
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