Di-Phi endorses Medlin for SBP

Correction (March 28 10:29 p.m.): Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this story misstated the room number of The Daily Tar Heel forum. It will be 6 p.m. Feb. 3 in Student Union, Room 3411. This story has been updated to reflect this correction. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for the error.

Members of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies endorsed Hogan Medlin for student body president at their forum Thursday night.

The forum marked the beginning of a series of public events that will take place throughout the race until election day on Feb. 9.

It was the first opportunity for candidates to publicly answer questions about their campaigns and seek endorsements.

 

Forum calendar

College Republicans 7 p.m. Monday
Young Democrats 8:15 p.m. Monday
GLBTSA 7 p.m. Thursday
BOUNCE 8 p.m. Feb. 1
The Daily Tar Heel 6 p.m. Feb. 3, Student Union Room 3411
Black Student Movement Feb. 4.
Graduate and Professional Student Federation 5:30 p.m. Feb. 4, Bingham Hall, Room 103

 

Some groups have not yet scheduled a time or location for their forums. Check the campus PIt Talk blog at dailytarheel.com/pit-talk for updates.

“I thought his platform points were extraordinarily detailed,” said Di-Phi President Kevin Whitfield about Medlin. “His presence at the forum was wonderful. He had great command of the room and really seemed to have fun, and that’s key.”

Student body president candidates Shruti Shah and Monique Hardin also participated in the forum. The three candidates who have not yet been certified by the Board of Elections — Nash Keune, Joe Levin-Manning and Greg Strompolos — did not participate in the debate, although at least one was in attendance.

Medlin said the endorsement means a lot to him because of the importance of Di-Phi to the University and its role in shaping student government. The debate group is the oldest student organization at UNC, founded in 1795.

“It just means so much,” he said. “I’m humbled and honored.”

The candidates answered questions from observers and Di-Phi members about their platforms and personal experiences.

One member of the audience asked the candidates about their greatest flaws.

Hardin said she always tries to accomplish more than is possible.

“I want to address all of my campaign points, and then I’m trying to accomplish everything,” she said.

Medlin said he has a difficult time delegating tasks.

“One of the things my peers tell me to tone down is doing everything on my own,” he said.

And Shah said she has a difficult time speaking up.

“I like to be more of a listener,” she said.

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.