Issue date: 3/26/08 Section: News

With the Cal State Fullerton Associated Students Inc. presidential candidates shielded from the sun, few students braved the heat to take in the single debate held on campus in the quad on Monday. The rows of seats that were set up for the audience were mostly empty except for a small group of seven supporters. Most of the organized supporters avoided the seats for the shade provided along the boundaries of the quad. Overall, less than 60 students were present during the afternoon debate. Most students were organized supporters for two of the candidates. The orange and blue shirts worn by supporters of the ticket of Curtis Schlaufman and Maryam Marzara outnumbered the green and black shirts donned by supporters of Jay Carvin and Lindsey Kwek.

Write-in candidate for Associated Students Inc. president Ravi Pamar, who was missing his vice presidential candidate, Fabiola Quijano, did not have any organized supporters in the audience. Despite the absence of supporters, Pamar, a 22-year-old business major, often drew the most laughs with his answers. A few students in the crowd started several chants of "Yes we can," a phrased borrowed from supporters of the leading Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama.

CSUF Radio-TV-Film major Frank Aceves, 26, said one debate does not allow students to learn about the candidates. He said he would vote for the candidate who would provide more support for campus clubs. Aceves, a member of the Hip Hop Congress, said his club could use more ASI support for their events. Aceves said faculty and staff complaints have made it difficult for Hip Hop Congress to secure the quad for events. In addition, the additional security imposed on them drives up their cost. He hopes the next president understands the issues some clubs have with organizing events.

As the debate came to an end, 19-year-old CSUF nursing student Toni Carrillo was sitting nearby reading a book. Carillo said she knew something was going on in the quad but could not hear what was being said. Carillo said she is still getting settled in the campus and does not plan on voting in this week's elections because she was not aware of all the issues. She plans on getting more involved next year with new student orientations. She would prefer a candidate who would address the customer service issues she had with the financial aid office.

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