The Board of Elections Commissioners hosted the second debate of the Missouri Students Association election season Thursday in the MU Student Center.
All three slates were present to discuss One Mizzou, working with administrators and transportation.
Greg Loeffler, an MSA presidential candidate, has been working with One Mizzou since it was founded. He thinks it needs to grow and spread to the rest of MU.
“One Mizzou has been picked up by athletics,” Loeffler said. “However, it started off as a diversity initiative and it needs to continue on that theme. The two need to come together and truly become One Mizzou.”
His running mate Lauren Damico agreed.
“I would say one of the best ways to do that (is) communication across the board,” Damico said.
Xavier Billingsley, another presidential candidate, also encouraged collaboration.
“Students really (need to) know the definition of One Mizzou, and telling people what this organization is and can be,” Billingsley said.
Meanwhile, candidate Everett Bruer and his running mate Lexie Cartee would like to differentiate from the athletic One Mizzou and decrease MSA’s involvement with the task force.
Bruer and Cartee said they want to focus on the original intent of One Mizzou.
“We do want to take a supportive role (in One Mizzou),” Cartee said. “Let it develop, let it grow to full fruition.”
Bruer continued with One Mizzou’s biggest strength.
“It’s definitely a conversation starter,” he said. “We really want to come together as a campus. I think it’s time to step outside our comfort zone, and that’s where One Mizzou really succeeds.”
As president and vice president of the student body, the winning slate will work closely with administration. Bruer said he wants to expand beyond working with the MU administration to benefit students.
“I think MSA has a lot of potential for growth especially at the city council level, going out there and making sure student issues are represented there, especially in regard to parking,” he said.
Over the years, Loeffler has found that administrators are ready to listen to students.
“Sometimes, when working with officials, you’re going to disagree on what’s best for the students,” Damico said. “Greg and I would push for the students, always, even if it means somewhat hampering a relationship with the administration.”
Helena Kooi, MSA vice presidential candidate, said despite her lack of MSA experience, she brings a fresh perspective through her experiences as a Summer Welcome coordinator and an executive board member for her sorority.
“Xavier and I are prepared to work hard,” Kooi said.
Transportation issues, specifically with Columbia Transit, were brought up throughout the hour-long debate.
The $80 student fee increase proposed by Columbia Transit has been labeled unacceptable by the slates.
“It’s a bit of a premature discussion,” Cartee said. “I just want to ease any worries. I know that that $80 fee has been proposed, but all of these initiatives will have to go through the students.”
Billingsley suggested separating from Columbia Transit.
“What I want to do is create our own transit system here eventually, our own self-sustaining program,” Billingsley said. “One thing about transportation is that they have over a million and a half dollar profit from parking tickets alone. We can use that profit (toward creating) our own transit system.”
Bruer is looking forward to working with whoever becomes president and vice president of MSA.
“I have to echo what Everett said,” Loeffler said. “There is no denying the amount of passion up here on this stage, and I’m very proud to be running with Lauren. She is definitely a huge part of that passion. I’m another part of that passion, but Lexie, Everett, Xavier and Helena also have that passion.”
