Issue date: 3/22/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Steve Berry/Alestle Sophomore presidential candidate Laurie Estilette speaks to the audience at the Student Government candidates open forum Tuesday.

Participants at the spring 2007 Student Government candidates open forum said building community on campus and assessing student fees were some of their primary goals if elected on April 2 and 3.

The open forum, which took place at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Morris University Center's Goshen Lounge, gave students the opportunity to ask questions of the candidates running for the positions of senator, trustee, vice president and president and to learn about their platforms.

Sophomore Billy Krause, who is running for one of 12 senator positions, said he hopes to bring students together as SIUE moves to Division I sports.

"I want to find a way to unite everyone, on campus and off," Krause said.

Junior senatorial candidate Patrick Brazill said he would like to find out what students want to do and create "more of sense of community out there."

Sophomore Tiffany Slaw, also running for senator, said she wants to focus on student fee increases, including the recent parking fee increase.

"The fees are for good reasons," Slaw said, "but for those who live on campus, they really have no choice."

Sophomore presidential candidate Laurie Estilette also addressed student fees.

"I agree that the fees … will be very burdensome this fall," Estilette said.

She said she plans to take a closer look at fees and see what is necessary for the university.

Estilette said her plan for the university is to "help the Senate to look at the issues that affect students."

Estilette is the only candidate running for president. Junior Holly Glover withdrew from the presidential race Tuesday.

Two candidates are in the campaign for vice president; however, senior Andrew Spainhour was the only one in attendance at the open forum. The other candidate, senior Brandon Rardin, was unable to attend due to class.

Spainhour said one of his biggest goals is to get students more involved in general education reform with the Baccalaureate Reform through Integrated Design of General Education committee.

The lone candidate for Student Trustee, Christine Williams, was also in attendance. Eight of the 14 senate candidates attended the forum.

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