Di-Phi endorses Lee in ?rst campaign forum

Members of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies endorsed Student Body President Candidate Ian Lee at their forum Wednesday night.

The event marked the beginning of the campaign season, which will end with the Feb. 8 election unless a runoff is necessary. It provided candidates with their first opportunity to publicly answer questions about their campaigns and to hear one another’s platforms.

Lee and his fellow candidates Mary Cooper, Rick Ingram and Brooklyn Stephens answered questions about their campaign platforms and discussed their reasons for campaigning at the Di-Phi forum.

After the forum, Di-Phi members went into closed session, where they made the decision to endorse Lee.

“He knew student government really well,” said Di-Phi President Andrew Schwartz after he announced the endorsement. Schwartz said Lee’s prior experience in student government — he’s the student body secretary — made him an attractive candidate for the endorsement.

Lee said that he is excited about Di-Phi’s decision.

“It gives us momentum, and a lot of confidence,” Lee said, adding that he feels he connected with students and communicated his holistic vision during the forum.

“I want to help students achieve what they want out of Carolina.”

All of the candidates said the forum was an important step in the campaign, since it officially opens discussion for the presidential race.

“It’s the first chance to hear everyone’s platforms without snooping around in the background,” Cooper said.

During the forum, candidates answered questions about their platforms and the personal attributes that make them good candidates.

“I want to be there to serve students,” Stephens said.

Ingram emphasized his work ethic and his realistic outlook in the face of a $3.7 billion state budget shortfall.

“I’m willing to work harder than anyone else,” he said.

“My job is to help you do your job better,” she said in the forum.

Candidates also discussed whether the student body should vote to continue the University’s involvement in the UNC Association of Student Governments.

“Improvements on ASG could be done, but students need to know more about it before they vote,” Cooper said.

Ingram, who is a member of the body, took a harder line.

“Whose fault is it that students don’t know about ASG? It’s ASG’s fault,” he said.

All candidates supported placing the organization’s future on the referendum.

The candidates also discussed what their first actions as president would be.

Lee said he would want to talk to the General Assembly about the UNC budget on behalf of students.

Stephens said she would advocate against tuition increases, and Ingram said he would sit down and have conversations with administrators about student needs.

“I’d put together a transition from Hogan’s administration,” Cooper said.

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