The Beacon, April 04, 2012 Florida International University
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Florida International University FIU Digital Commons The aP nther Press (formerly The Beacon) Special Collections and University Archives 4-4-2012 The Beacon, April 04, 2012 Florida International University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper Recommended Citation Florida International University, "The Beacon, April 04, 2012" (2012). The Panther Press (formerly The Beacon). 523. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper/523 This work is brought to you for free and open access by the Special Collections and University Archives at FIU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in The aP nther Press (formerly The Beacon) by an authorized administrator of FIU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A Forum for Free Student Expression at Florida International University Vol. 23, Issue 83 www.fiusm.com Wednesday, April 4, 2012 ElecTionS Presidential debate begins with candidate walk-out MELHOR LEONOR debate shall not act in any partisan manner and Asst. News Director shall have no affiliation to any party,” Farinas [email protected] said. “Due to the fact that their recent issue, clearly endorsing Sanjeev Udhnani and Connor A presidential debate of three turned into a Mautner, came out this morning, that makes discussion of one, as two out of the three pres- them bias[ed], putting them in direct violation of idential tickets for the 2012 Student Govern- the Elections Code.” ment Council at the Modesto Maidique campus Farinas and Patel announced they would walked out of the debate session on April 2. hold a separate debate where “students ask the The two campaigns signaled a violation of the questions,” in the Betty Chapman Plaza, as a Elections Code as the reason for their departure. large group of their supporters and other students As the debate was about to begin, Laura present followed them out. Farinas, presidential candidate in the SGA elec- With a crowd of over 25 students, the tickets tions, read a definition of the word ‘partisan’ answered individual questions and engaged in and quoted article VI of the Elections Code, conversations with the students in non-formal while Samir Patel, also a presidential candidate, discussions. explained that the two campaigns felt it was a “SGA has not been serving their sole violation of the Elections Code to have one of purpose, which is to serve the students, and the moderators of the debate show “bias towards to meet the needs and wants of their constitu- one of the candidates.” ency,” Farinas said when asked about her plat- “As you guys have all seen in today’s issue form. “For that sole reason what I am planning [of The Beacon], they endorsed a particular to do is not just about a platform but it’s about a candidate and that does raise some issues for us vision, it’s to change what SGA does, and how as one of the moderators is the Editor in Chief of SGA functions.” The Beacon,” Patel said. Andres Wu, running alongside Patel, The moderators for the event were Alessa addressed a question from the crowd regarding Torres, elections commissioner for the Student tuition increases and spending on environmental Government Association and Alexandra Camejo, initiatives. editor in chief of The Beacon. “One of the biggest issues that we have had is The morning of the debates, The Beacon the tuition hike and I think the green energy fund released “The Beacon Recommends,” a voting directly addresses that,” Wu said. “The only way guide for students, recommending Sanjeev that we are going to be able to save on tuition is Udhnani and Connor Mautner, the third set of to lower our costs and one of our greatest costs PHOTOS BY MELHOR LEONOR/THE BEACON candidates in the presidential race. [is] electricity and power. By using the green [Top] Sanjeev Udhnani and Connor Mautner, presidential ticket, remained in GC 140 as candidates “In the elections code, under the section energy fund we not only solve problems we Samir Patel and Andres Wu walked out of the SGC debate. [Bottom] Wu and Patel stand next to Alex where it describes the moderations for the Castro and Laura Farinas, presidential candidates, in the Betty Chapman Plaza to answer questions. debate, it clearly states that the moderator for the SEE PRESIDENTIAL, PAGE 2 BUDGET elecTionS Rosenberg addresses cuts in video Candidates talk issues LAUREN ROVIRA legislature. basis, and if we weren’t ranked number Staff Writer Among the efforts the Univer- one,” he said, “if we were just managing [email protected] sity has put into effect, are measures to our energy efficiency at an average level during senate debate improve efficiency. we would be spending double that.” The 2011-2012 school year came Rosenberg states in the video that The University has invested in MELISSA CACERES sion senator. “This past semester, riddled with financial difficulties that expanding online education to reduce News Director I’ve met with SLS students to make affected every part of the University. the strain on the facilities as part of this [email protected] sure that they know who their sena- On March 30, President Mark B. plan. tors are.” Rosenberg sent out an email addressing [We] have significant However optimistic Rosenberg was Senatorial candidates laid out Steven Gonzalez emphasized the the budget cuts, and the University’s capability to withstand about the course the University has their platforms and goals during need to expand into the Youth Fair year-long efforts to seek out solutions the short-term challeng- taken thus far, he did acknowledge in this year’s debate with over 40 grounds. for the troubles the institution has been es that are presented by the video that should the legislature not supporters and community members “Our university needs to expand,” facing. this state’s budgetary restore funding as promised, the five in attendance. said Gonzalez. “If we don’t, we will The basis of the financial shortcom- year World’s Ahead Plan will need to With one day before the first day need to build three more parking ings exists in the $24 million that were appropriation. be seriously reconsidered. of voting, the April 2 debate at the garages. Students need to be informed cut from the University’s budget by the Mark Rosenberg, Until then, the University will Modesto Maidique campus featured about that.” state legislature. President proceed as planned. four out of the seven at-large and Giovanni Castro agreed that This has been the largest budget cut FIU The legislature did grant $1 million and two of the eight lower division University growth is something that to date, but according to Rosenberg, to the College of Medicine to continue candidates. students should be aware of. “[the] state legislature has promised us on the process toward full accredita- When asked what the Univer- “FIU really wants to grow,” said that the funding will be restored to us for tion and enroll its first full class for sity’s most pressing issues were, Castro. “I don’t know why we’re next year.” we are currently ranked first among 2012-2013. several candidates focused on expan- keeping it a big secret.” The University has brought reserves all the public universities in the state in The University will also be hiring sion and graduation rates. He added that having more forward to cover for the one-time budget terms of energy efficiency. approximately 110 new faculty “We need to try and help students students coming to FIU every year cut. The remainder was made up for by “We are currently spending about stay on track to graduate,” said Liane raising tuition as is called for by the state $11 million on utilities on an annual SEE ROSENBERG, PAGE 2 Sippin, who is currently a lower divi- SEE SENATORIAL, PAGE 2 COMING UP News ONLINE www.fiusm.com RADIO Radiate FM Check out Friday’s issue for the results Follow us on: Tune in to Radiate FM on Mon., Wed. and Fri. of the 2012 Student Government Elections Twitter - @FIUSM for our Opinion, Sports and News shows or for the presidential/vice-presidential Facebook - FIU Student Media: News, check them out on FIUSM.com. and senatorial seats. FIU Student Media: Sports The Radioactive Underground: 88.1 - 95.3 - 96.9 2 The Beacon – Wednesday, April 4, 2012 NEWS www.fiusm.com NEWS FLASH Two tickets hold separate debate NATIONAL PRESIDENTIAL, PAGE 1 25 supporters and students. Patrick O’Keefe, president of the SGC- 5 dead in Oakland university shooting “This should still be an open forum,” MMC, addressed the day’s events. have now but problem that can carry on in Udhnani said, soon after the other candi- “I can understand both sides,” O’Keefe A suspect was detained Monday in a shooting terms of cost.” dates left the debate. “Conner and I are no said in a statement to FIU Student Media. attack at an Oakland Christian university that Meanwhile, Udhnani and Mautner strangers to criticism as you can see from “Though I hope that there will be some sources said has left at least five people dead. remained for a question and answer our ‘100 ideas for FIU’ initiative. This is sort of consensus and that people will start Law enforcement sources close to the inves- session where they answered questions your opportunity to voice your concerns working together and that there will be less tigation told The Associated Press that at least from the moderators with a crowd of about and ask us questions.” political stifling.” five people have died after the morning shooting at Oikos University.