MTSU’s Student Government Association held a debate for student body presidential candidates on Monday night, discussing various topics from diversity, equity and inclusion to campus dining quality.
The candidates running for SGA president:
- Kennedy Garrett, a junior political science major.
- Truvell Haddox, a junior finance major.
- Devin McClendon, a sophomore finance major.
Garrett, SGA’s current vice president, has three pillars for her campaign: Finding resources for student organizations, uniting campus and “turning actions into results.”
“Actions speak louder than words,” Garrett said. “If I’m elected president, anything that I say now, anything that I have ever told you, I would do my very best to ensure that the actions are taking place to get those needs met.”
Haddox, a first-year SGA senator, said his goal is to make an impact for students on campus and to “not only bridge the gap between students and faculty, but to be that bridge.”
“My work would be rooted, and only rooted, in seeing you be happy,” Haddox said. “Seeing you be at peace. Seeing you be joyed.”
McClendon, the current SGA events director, is focusing on connection in his campaign and ensuring students feel engaged and included.
“I believe students deserve more than representation on paper,” McClendon said. “We deserve connection in real life. Connection between students and student government, connection between ideas and action, connection between where we are and where we want this campus to be.”
During the open question period, a student asked the candidates how they would each approach certain issues, like the removal of DEI initiatives on campus.
“What do you plan on doing to help organizations, specifically minority organizations, that feel that the school has abandoned us or thrown everything on us to figure it out ourselves,” a student in the crowd asked.
Garrett said that she and current SGA president RJ Ware have discussed opportunities to support minority-centered organizations, like MTSU’s Black History Month Committee, and that initiative would continue into her potential presidency.
“If I’m elected to the body president, I want to be very clear when I say this, that diversity, equity and inclusion will be something that is stood on, and is stood on with intention, and that the executive board, if I’m elected, will also know that that is something that we will lead with,” Garrett said.
Haddox said, if elected, he would focus on increasing funds for organizations impacted by the removal of DEI initiatives.
“That’s part of my mission, actually, to provide for student organizations, increase the funding,” Haddox said. “So if any student needs help funding the organization, they can come to us, and they can be funded.”
McClendon would prioritize letting students know that funding and resources remain available for minority-centered student organizations.
“Diversity, equity, and inclusion may not be able to live on in the laws or in an administration, but it can live on in spirit,” McClendon said. “It can live on in duty.”
Another student focused on campus dining. Specifically, how the potential SGA presidents could improve it.
“[The number of] students concerned about the quality of campus food continues to increase,” said Ryan Cleveland, an SGA senator. “As president, how would you all address this issue?”
Garrett said that she has served on the food service committee in SGA and receives feedback from students through surveys. Through that feedback, Garrett has been able to discuss future plans for on-campus dining with Aramark executives on campus.
“If I’m elected president, [I would] ensure that those initiatives would continue, those conversations, putting students from our Senate, or other areas of our campus, on those committees, to let those executives and people know what our students truly need,” Garrett said.
Haddox said he would focus on how the food tastes, and he would value student input in solving dining issues on campus.
“I feel like if we could get a random sampling of students and meet with the Aramark, the people who provide our food, and y’all can give them feedback, then we can go about moving forward on that,” Haddox said.
McClendon said that currently, MTSU’s food is “not the tastiest meal that you’re going to have,” and he would work to pass legislation to enhance the quality of on-campus dining.
“What we can do, to enhance the quality of food and taste, is pass legislation,” McClendon said. “Get in touch with MT Dining, talk to them about the recipes, the way that they prepare the food. That makes a difference.”
Sophomores Ally Pricer and Nia Moore are vice presidential candidates, and Pricer is running alongside Garrett.
Voting will be open March 2-5, and results will be posted March 6.
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