SGA holds vice presidential debate

The Student Government Association held its vice presidential debate Tuesday night in the HUB Monongahela Room.

Moderated by former SGA Vice President and current student trustee Andrew Longacre, candidates Megan Florez (running with Steve Hyduchak) and John Bercik (running with Taylor Billman) were given the chance to respond to a number of questions regarding their vice presidential abilities.

Both candidates felt they had sufficient qualifications to handle the duties as vice president. Florez has served on a number of different committees within SGA, including stints on the executive board and the internal affairs committee.  Bercik has strong ties with the IUP community and a “good feel for the campus and students.” He also said that he has a good relationship with the IUP administration.

When asked to describe their relationships with their running mates, Bercik said Billman is a confident candidate.  The two share similar values and beliefs, and both simply want to make IUP better. Florez described the multiple times she and Hyduchak have worked together on different projects or committees, their working relationship and how well that has worked for them in the past.

As the internal affairs chairwoman and the first line of communication for SGA members, Florez pointed out that she has a good relationship with the association members and that anyone can approach her with their worries. Bercik said that communication can help unify the SGA. He stressed having an “open door policy” so he would be available anytime someone needed to speak.

Both saw the SGA taking a more open role on campus.  Advocating for SGA awareness was important, as well as increasing membership. Both wanted to increase the SGA’s role in the orientation process to let new students know of the SGA’s existence and to also know they could bring their concerns to the SGA.

When asked of the SGA’s role in the university senate, Florez said it was important to get the senate’s membership numbers up and wanted to increase senate awareness among the members of SGA. Bercik said it should be a requirement for members to be part of the senate and the vice president should take a role in leading it. By making the senate better, they can make IUP and, by extension, Indiana better.