Addison Moore

On Wednesday evening in Jack Magee’s Pub, Bowdoin Student Government (BSG) presidential candidates Angelica Gordon ’27 and Aidan Aybar ’28 debated their platforms ahead of the upcoming election. Campbell Treschuk ’28 and Evan Carr ’28 of the Orient moderated the debate, with candidates outlining their priorities and visions for student leadership.

Throughout the debate, both candidates returned to themes of outreach, accessibility and strengthening campus connection while offering distinct approaches shaped by their individual experiences within BSG and the broader campus community.

Gordon emphasized her work in sustainability and student-facing roles across campus. She spent her first two years at Bowdoin in BSG, serving both as a general representative and chair of the Facilities and Sustainability Committee. Gordon also pointed to her experience working in dining services and as a College House committee leader as formative in shaping her leadership style.

“I feel like that taught me a lot [about] how to be a team worker,” Gordon said. “It allowed me to know how to talk to students, how to let them be heard and how to really collect these diverse opinions to advocate for them.”

Aybar highlighted his experience within BSG and his involvement across multiple sectors of campus life. He has served on BSG for two years, first as a developmental representative on the Student Affairs Committee and currently as its chair.

In that role, he has worked closely with administrators while also serving as a proctor in the Office of Residential Life, a tour guide and a member of the varsity baseball team.

“I’ve gotten to learn a lot about how the [student] body works … and understand what’s going on behind the scenes,” Aybar said. “I think I’ve built a lot of strong relationships with administrators but also with students across campus, and that would inform my work as president.”

When asked about specific initiatives they would prioritize in the following year, the candidates outlined different but complementary visions. Aybar focused on reducing logistical and financial burdens for students, particularly concerning summer storage. He outlined efforts to provide free transportation and discounted materials to ease the storage process, especially for first-year students.

In addition, Aybar proposed introducing a campuswide “Beach Day,” inspired by a similar “Mountain Day” tradition at Williams College, where classes are canceled for a day of community building in nature.

“Trying to create more events that bring us all together and remind us that we’re all part of this broader Bowdoin community, I think is really valuable,” Aybar said.

Gordon, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of strengthening BSG’s internal culture as a foundation for improving campus life more broadly. She proposed implementing a “big-little” mentorship program within BSG to foster stronger relationships between members of different committees and leadership levels.

“I think we as a student government can’t really uplift campus culture without our own culture also feeling very much like a circle—feeling like everybody can contribute and not feeling too divided,” Gordon said.

Both candidates agreed that BSG plays a critical role in amplifying student voices and translating their feedback into meaningful change. Aybar stressed the importance of listening to student concerns and responding with tangible initiatives, pointing to past instances where BSG adjusted its processes in response to student criticism.

“You can have an ego about it, or you can look inward and say, ‘Maybe our processes aren’t perfect right now,’” Aybar said. “Our job is to amplify your voices and turn what you’re telling us into actual items.”

Gordon echoed this sentiment while also discussing the role BSG plays in fostering greater connectivity across groups on campus.

“I also feel like [BSG is a] a very big tool to amplify student connectivity overall,” Gordon said. “When we work together, that’s when we see our best results.”

The candidates also addressed how they would improve transparency and communication between BSG and the student body. Aybar proposed “complaint tabling” in Smith Union, where the student body president would regularly invite students to share their thoughts, both positive and negative, in an informal setting. Gordon emphasized strengthening BSG’s social media presence and increasing visibility through platforms like The Bowdoin Orient.

Both candidates framed their approach to working with administrators as collaborative but assertive. Aybar described his approach as consistent, communicative and fearless, emphasizing the importance of regular meetings and a willingness to challenge administrative decisions when necessary. Gordon highlighted the importance of empathy and mutual understanding in building productive relationships.

“I think sometimes we feel like administration and faculty are so far away from us,” Gordon said. “But when you sit down and talk with them, you realize they’re also trying to create the common good.”

As the debate concluded, both candidates reflected on the importance of building community through both large-scale initiatives and smaller, everyday interactions. From proposed new traditions to internal programs aimed at strengthening BSG itself, each candidate presented a vision of student government as a central force in shaping campus life.

“Bowdoin is a magical place, and I think BSG is a part of that magic,” Gordon said.

Voting for BSG president, vice president, treasurer and charterer opened on Thursday morning and will close at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Campbell Treshuk ’28 and Evan Carr ’28 are members of The Bowdoin Orient.