On Thursday, April 3, the Student Government Association (SGA) hosted its first debate in two years. The audience was able to hear parties discuss ideas and concerns live.
Current Vice President Aleko Zeppos and Chair of Campus Climate Committee Sidney Mbah are running as one party, while the other ticket consists of SGA newcomers Andrew Smith and his running mate, Charlie Perricelli.
The structure allowed for the vice presidential candidates to take the floor first to present opening statements and engage in a Q&A from both the moderators and the audience. Mbah spoke of his experience as chair of the Campus Climate Committee, as well as his leadership within the Black Student Union. Much of his campaign is centered around a continuation of representation of the student body, including the idea of launching the Student Organization Liaison Program.
“I want to represent us,” Mbah said. “I want to build a community.”
During the Q&A, Mbah championed Student Government’s tabling efforts and hosting town halls, including his own past work on a housing town hall. Beyond these claims, Mbah honed in on previous work being done in collaboration with dining, and his goals in this field for the future.
Perricelli dissented. Much of the commentary from Smith and Perricelli’s own campaign Instagram has opposed the current SGA’s handling of communication and representation. Perricelli argued there is far more that could be done to meet students where they are beyond tabling and distribution of treats, and brought up ideas such as establishing a guardhouse on South Campus.
“Buying cookies isn’t going to cut it anymore,” Perricelli said.
Perricelli himself shared that last fall, he had reached out to SGA members, only to be left with no follow up on getting involved. Amongst this personal anecdote, Perricelli stated his dissatisfaction with the current administration’s handling of office hours and lack of updates and transparency on its official website.
“There have been no meeting notes since 2022,” Smith said.
Prior to Smith and Perricelli raising concern, the SGA website lacked its mission statement, as well as meeting notes. All of these things have been updated, as presidential candidate Zeppos thanked the team for sharing their thoughts, and pointed to the improvements as an example of efficient change happening because of student concerns.
“I became aware of the website because of a student sitting right next to me,” Zeppos said. “Now that we did, Andy, thank you so much.”
Both Smith and Perricelli argued that it shouldn’t have had to be a student concern, and demanded for a higher level of transparency.
While Perricelli and Smith argued about a lack of communication of the current administration when it comes to the handling of their website, current Student Body President Millard and Zeppos have spoken to The Villanovan several times this academic year regarding their own agendas and to make statements on various events. Past coverage from The Villanovan on sustainability efforts in dining were cited during the debate.
Following the vice presidential candidates, the presidential candidates conducted their debate in a similar structure that also featured a 15-minute conversation-style exchange on their respective campaigns.
Zeppos currently serves as the vice president to Student Body President Dean Millard, and began his time in SGA as a freshman senator. Beyond echoing Mbah in regard to representation-centered goals, Zeppos also is campaigning with ideas for improving dining, continuing sustainability measures and working with other student organizations and utilizing the budget to do so.
“We have used our entire budget for the first time in years.” Zeppos said.
Smith argued that SGA could be improved to a greater extent.
“We want to take SGA to the next level,” Smith said. “We want to bring the student body into that.”
Smith highlighted ideas on decreasing University store prices, increasing transparency online and voiced skepticism on the current administration’s sustainability efforts. The topic of the reusable to-go boxes was a point of contention during the debate.
Both Smith and Perricelli criticized the program due to its lack of long-term studies and argued that there is student dissatisfaction at the University.
“So far we’ve seen a 98% return rate,” Zeppos said. “[The program] is proven right now, and we’ll monitor it as it’s going forward.”
Questions were fielded from the audience following conversation, leading to the debate lasting a near half hour longer than scheduled. Inquiries were about the to-go boxes, past valuable experience of all candidates and stances on recent federal policy.
Both parties aligned on their commitment to protecting diversity, equity and inclusion at the University. There were numerous questions regarding both DEI and protecting free speech.
One point of concern was raised towards presidential candidate Smith on his presidency with student group VU Republicans, as the SGA is nonpartisan. Smith stated that if elected, he would have no issue in resigning from involvement with the group.
Concerns raised to Zeppos were mostly centered around why his policy goals were not made already as vice president. Zeppos championed past achievements such as the expansion of free menstrual products, but affirmed there was even more that could be done if elected.
While structured, the audience fielded questions consisted of relatively frequent moderator intervention. The debate wrapped up at around 10:30 p.m.
Both parties agreed on a variety of topics including the possibility of implementing a Chick-Fil-A, DEI initiatives and gym improvements. The disagreements were seen specifically in regards to sustainability efforts and transparency.
Voting opens on April 7 at 8 a.m. and closes April 8 at 12 p.m. Students will receive an email with a link to vote.
