Fifteen students running for seven positions debated their way through the issues at Monday night's BSG Officer Candidates debate.
Though free food was provided, attendance did not exceed about two dozen.
The evening began with a surprise when Jess Song '10 decided to drop out of the race for BSG Treasurer at, literally, the last minute.
Song's sudden forfeiture left only Kyle Dempsey '11 in the running. Uncontested, he will serve as next year's BSG Treasurer.
Subsequent debates for the four contested vice presidential elections led up to the animated contest between presidential candidates Mike Dooley '10 and Rutledge Long '10.
Dooley, whose legacy was often referenced by the other candidates, presented a platform that emphasized "tangible results." He listed his major accomplishments from his two-year tenure as vice president for facilities, including his management of the collegiate readership program that provides newspapers in the dining hall, his organization of discounted shuttles to both the airport and the bowling alley, his initiatives to extend hours in Watson gym and to provide it with magazine subscriptions, and his leadership on various environmental issues.
Long dichotomized the race by undermining the importance of tangibles and of BSG in general.
"I bring an energy, an attitude, and a spirit," said Long. He said that BSG "doesn't really hold any power" and identified that his goal as president would be to make BSG "more than a symbolic institution that does next to nothing."
Each candidate was asked either two or three questions for which they were given the prompts in advance, succeeded by tougher, follow-up questions conceived by moderators Orient Senior Editor Cati Mitchell '09 and BSG At-Large Representative Christian Adams '09.
Long, who recently resigned from his position of Class of 2010 representative, was asked how he could be trusted not to resign from the presidency, as well.
"A Rutledge Long presidency is a risky decision," he said. "This could be a great success. There's a 25 percent chance that this will be a total flop."
He contrasted himself with his opponent saying that "it is not a risky decision to vote for Mike Dooley."
Dooley was asked how he would respond to skeptics who say that BSG doesn't do anything. He answered that "what's covered in the Orient is constitutional reform," but that "we need to do those things in order to be more effective." He elaborated that "tangible results are not all that I bring to the table" and highlighted the benefits of his visibility on campus.
The race to fill Mike Dooley's shoes as Vice President for Facilities, the most heavily contested of the evening with four candidates, was also the most polemic.
Samantha Scully '09 filled in for Isa Abney '11, who could not attend the debate because of a class meeting. She said that Isa "is differentiated by experience," and, when questioned about accusations that he "has had difficulty sharing authority" in the past, Scully mentioned his successful involvement with various campus organizations and the fact that he is "heading six events this weekend."
While At-Large Representative Nyle Usmani '12 was accused of "spotty attendance" at BSG meetings over this past year, Class of 2012 Representative Jack Hilzinger highlighted in his opening remarks that he has "only missed one meeting."
"I'm the candidate that's going to get the job done and get it done well," Hilzinger said. "I feel like I'm the only one who's capable of continuing Dooley's legacy."
Jung Gun Song '11 rounded out the facilities candidate pool and used his time to focus on the importance of communication.
The three candidates in the race for Vice President for Student Affairs all cited the current economic situation as the most important issue facing students.
Addison Boyland '10 pointed out that "student issues are never stationary" and suggested adding a finance workshop to first year orientation to help students navigate complicated paperwork.
At-Large Representative Rasha Harvey '12 referenced his initiative to produce a cost-cutting guide that will be made available to Class of 2013 students in their pre-arrival summer mailing.
The same Jess Song '10 who dropped out of the treasurer's race earlier in the night served as a proxy for Alicia Martinez '10, who is currently studying abroad. She assured that Alicia, a self-proclaimed "big fan of networking and co-sponsorship" would make economic information "accessible and interesting."
Vice President for Student Organizations candidates Class of 2012 Representative Branden Asemah '12 and BSG Secretary Emma Nathaniel '12 presented similar platforms, emphasizing communication, especially between the Student Organizations Oversight Committee and the Student Activities Funding Committee.
Asemah promised to make "club visits" and create FAQ sheets if elected. Nathaniel would focus on the "administrative" end rather than help with "idea generating." She would also "encourage all clubs to make Web sites."
In the race for Vice President for Academic Affairs, candidate Derek Brooks '12 opened by saying that the academic affairs committee can have "tangible goals, unlike other committees." He assured that he would sit in on different faculty meetings, and advertise the sparsely attended campus conversations—Friday afternoon events for students and faculty that address questions like "How does one balance extra-curriculars and academics at Bowdoin."
Clara Hill '10 stood in for Bryce Spalding '10 and voiced his opinion that the student-faculty relationship is not an "us versus them battle," citing his previous involvement with the academic affairs committee.
BSG President Sophia Seifert '09 said "the candidates clearly thought hard about their responses." She said that the divergent responses represent "a good opportunity for students to choose the direction of BSG next year."