Forum for YD is 1st in contest

Student organizations will begin the process of officially endorsing candidates for student body president at 8 p.m. in 209 Manning Hall when the Young Democrats hold the first forum of the season.

The Young Democrats will question the four candidates — Seke Ballard, Leigha Blackwell, Seth Dearmin and Tom Jensen — on issues ranging from tuition increases to environmental conservation.

Two candidates make mention of their history with the organization. Jensen has taken an active role in the organization, serving as party affairs director and organizing campaign operations last fall. Ballard served on the executive board of the Young Democrats last year and continues to participate in the organization.

The renewal of the Green Energy Fund, which taxes students $4 per semester and supports renewable energy projects on campus, is one of the group’s major concerns, said Young Democrats Secretary Peter Tinti, who will moderate the forum.

All four candidates voiced their support for the fund.

“With all the construction going on around campus, this is the perfect opportunity to implement renewable energy,” Blackwell said.

The candidates’ platforms call for environmental awareness in other ways as well. Dearmin plans to reduce dependency on plastic foam take-out containers on campus. Blackwell’s platform calls for green space to balance with construction, and both Ballard and Jensen outline methods to reduce paper usage.

The Young Democrats also want a candidate who will promote race relations, diversity and minority issues, Tinti said.

Ballard noted that students must take a broad approach to diversity.

“We have to expand our idea of diversity to include race, ideology, religion, geography and socioeconomic backgrounds,” he said.

Ballard said he plans to support the development of a multicultural advisory board to promote minority issues.

Dearmin’s platform calls for recruiting a racially diverse Cabinet. “There are excellent leaders out there, and we shouldn’t just sit back and expect them to come to us.”

Jensen said he plans to continue working with campus and town groups to ensure that Franklin Street businesses do not discriminate.

Blackwell’s platform calls for student government to maintain its relationship with the Office of Minority Affairs and for the education of students. “We want to push the sentiment of mutual respect across campus,” she said.

The group also wants the next president to foster a positive relationship between the University and the town, Tinti said.

Jensen noted his prior experience in working with town officials as chairman of Students for a Progressive Chapel Hill.

“I can use these existing relationships to foster a better relationship between the town and the University,” he said.

All candidates acknowledged the importance of working with town officials to accomplish mutually beneficial goals.

For the past two years, the Young Democrats’ endorsee has gone on to win the election.

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.