With one of the most important student held positions up for election, Thelmo held a debate that allowed the two candidates a chance to express their competing visions for the future of St. Lawrence University. However, despite Thelmo’s efforts to publicize the election, many students seem unaware of the position at stake and the candidates running.

On Monday, April 18, the candidates for the Student Delegate to the Board of Trustees debated in the Winston Room. Quin Roussard ‘17 and Autumn Rolack ‘17 fielded a series of questions from members of the Thelmo Executive Board and the audience. By answering the questions, the candidates expressed the qualities and qualifications that enabled them to be a successful Student Delegate.

“I am personal and approachable,” said Rolack. “I am involved with diverse groups on campus.” She also considered herself a big picture thinker.

Roussard offered similar remarks.“I am very goal oriented. I am also persuasive, outgoing, talkative and yet also a good listener,” said Roussard.

But the turnout for the event was small and many students expressed a lack of interest in the election. Nearly half of the seats in the Winston Room were empty and many students fiddled around on their phones during the debate.

“I have seen some posters about [the election], but I haven’t heard anything beyond that or know anyone running,” said Tristan Anderson ‘19. “I’m probably voting for the first name on the ballot.”

Other students expressed confusion over what the Student Delegate does. “Honestly, I have no idea what the delegate board [sic] does, nor do I care that much,” said Ryan Davis ‘18. “I feel like even if I expressed my opinion about something [to the Student Delegate], nothing would get done because one person’s opinion won’t change anything.” Neither Anderson nor Davis attended the debate.

Other students believe that Student Delegate and election process is important. “This election is important to the student experience here at St. Lawrence because the Student Delegate to the Board of Trustees has the unique privilege of sharing student sentiments with the University’s primary governing body,” said former Vice President of Senate Affairs Ryan Christopher Di Mezzo ‘18.

The position requires the student to meet with the Board of Trustees several times a year. During these meetings, the delegate and the trustees plan for the future of St. Lawrence.

“It’s basically a position that looks at the five, 10 or even 20-year plan of the school. I really enjoyed it because it gives me the opportunity to represent the student body and make St. Lawrence even better for the future,” said Drew Houx ‘18, current Student Delegate to the Board of Trustees.

The Student Delegate can help craft the future of St. Lawrence through their personal initiatives. “I have been passionate about translating the student body’s ideas and frustrations about residential life to the Board of Trustees,” said Houx. “I have pushed for relevant renovations to dorms and buildings around campus.”

During the debate and subsequent interviews with The Hill News, the candidates conveyed their own plans for the future of St. Lawrence. “I will push for diversity,” said Rolack. “We need to make St. Lawrence a more inclusive place.”

Roussard agreed with the importance of inclusivity and diversity but stated that the school needs to encourage more dialogue on environmental, socioeconomic and societal issues too. “I believe that St. Lawrence needs to require an experiential learning or hands on component to supplement classes. This would allow students to flourish and adapt more successfully to real world situations, leading to a more cohesive campus,” she said.

During the debate, other issues that students cared about cropped up. Roussard stated she wished to make the tenure track and promotion process more transparent, while both candidates agreed over the importance of environmental sustainability.

Voting begins on Wednesday, April 20 at 7:00 am and closes a week later on Wednesday, April 27 at 5:00 pm. Students can cast their vote via SLUWire. The results will be announced on SLUWire on April 29.