State representative candidates, competing for two Ann Arbor districts, met last night at the Michigan Union to take part in a three-way debate focusing on student and University concerns.
The debate, organized by MSA's External Relations Committee, was attended by Republican challenger and recent University graduate, Chris Schmitt, and incumbent Liz Brater (D-Ann Arbor) - both of whom are competing for the 53rd district. Republican candidate David Felbeck, an Engineering professor for 35 years who is competing for the 52nd district, also spoke.
Each candidate was invited to address the audience of about 20 and answer questions prepared by a three-member panel consisting of committee members and general questions from the floor.
"We wanted (the debate) to be basically student-oriented," said Edna Yang, grassroots liason for ERC. "We wanted (questions) to apply to University students."
The questions highlighted each candidates' stance on a number of issues including whether a student should be added to the Board of Regents, whether the regents should be allowed to conduct the University presidential search behind closed doors and if the state should set a fixed percentage limit on the number of out-of-state students at the University.
"Yes, I think (supporting a constitutional ammedment adding a student to the Board of Regents) would be a good idea," Brater said, arguing for greater accountability for the board. Both Republican candidates disagreed. They said that a single student could not alone be responsible to represent all of the University's interests.
"I do think we need to look at how to make regents more accountable," Schmitt said. He added that this should be done in a different way "that should include students."
The candidates were also divided on partisan lines over the requirement for the University to conduct presidential searches in public.
"I believe that this open meeting situation definately hinders (finding the best person for the job)," Schmitt said. Qualified people would not risk losing their exisiting jobs by applying to the University in the open, he said.
"I believe presidential searches can be held in the sunshine," Brater said, noting success in open searches in her past work in Ann Arbor's local government. "It isn't easy, it's very difficult, but you can respect the public's right to know," Brater said.
On the proposal that Lansing should set a minimum percentage of in-state students that the University must accept, Felbeck disagreed.
"The University is better off, wherever they come from, having the highest quality students. It's good for all students and good for faculty."
"(The state should) strengthen our primary and secondary students so we have more qualified students coming from Michigan so it isn't even an issue," Schmitt added.
LSA senior Tom Font said he thought Schmitt, who graduated from the University in August, was in tune with student opinions.
"I'm not a Republican, I'm a Democrat, but I just feel that putting one of our own (in the state Legislature) - someone who knows what it's like to be young - is definitely a good thing," Font said.
AJA DEKLEVA COHEN/Daily
Chris Schmitt, David Felbeck and Mary Schroer, candidates for state representative, met at the Michigan Union last night to debate student and University concerns.