Four Tampa campus Student Government (SG) gubernatorial tickets shared their ideas on Wednesday’s debate. They highlighted how they would help fund student organizations and advocate for the student body.  

Four tickets are running in the Tampa campus gubernatorial election:

• Emma Goodwin, a biomedical sciences major, is running for governor alongside Ethan Walsh, an industrial engineering major, as prospective lieutenant governor.
• Eduardo Manke, a mechanical engineering major, is running for governor with Dhanvanth Rayulu Ramayanam, a computer science major, as his running mate.
• Carter Fifer, a political science major, is running for governor. In that same ticket, Jonathan Pittman, also a political science major, is up for the lieutenant governor position.
• Kaitlyn Rodriguez, a double major in health sciences and cybersecurity, is running for governor. Her running mate for lieutenant governor is Lila Morgan, a double major in political science and philosophy.

The debate was hosted in the Oval Theatre in the Marshall Student Center. It was moderated by Oracle News Editor Clara Rokita Garcia. 

Related: USF SG presidential debate tackles immigration, free speech and more

SG governors authorize any spending from their campus fund, and lieutenant governors are the main assistant to the governor. 

Goodwin, the Tampa campus’ sitting lieutenant governor, said her ticket will work to increase funding for student organizations and departments and advocate for USF Library renovations.

“Student Government isn’t about us,” Goodwin said. “It’s about the students we serve, it’s about making USF a place where every student has the support and opportunities they need to succeed.”

Manke and Ramayanam, who are both Tampa campus senators, are “standing together” on their “ACT” platform, which stands for action, community and transparency.

The pair hopes to work with the Office of Orientation to incorporate more fraternity and sorority life into campus. 

The ticket said it wants to prioritize student safety by providing scooter charging stations to prevent dorm fire hazards. 

Manke said USF students are living in “interesting” times.

“Rhea Law resigned and we don’t know what is going to happen,” Manke said. “I think that SG needs to be there united to provide support for everyone on campus.”

Although Fifer mostly led the conversation for his ticket, he said he does not have any previous SG experience. His running mate, Pittman, worked as a project intern for the USF Office of Government Relations for almost three years. 

Fifer emphasized the importance of free speech and said safety measures need to be invoked. 

“We need to have diversity of thought, otherwise what are we but an authoritarian institution that does not promote education but simply just brainwashing,” he said.

When asked about activity and service fees, Fifer said he is not as knowledgeable about the budget as his opposing tickets are, but said he could “figure it out.”

A&S fees have remained unchanged for at least 10 years. Goodwin and Tampa Governor Ava Moreno warned this could mean future budget cuts for student organizations and departments. 

Related: USF student orgs, departments might see budget cuts

If an organization or department does not use its entire budget, SG will receive any excess money to use for the next year.

Changing the amount students pay toward the A&S fee pot would need support from USF, other Florida universities and the government.

Rodriguez, a Tampa campus senator, said she is familiar with the fees because she has served in almost every funding council for three years. She said she “has seen” where the funding goes.

If elected, Rodriguez said she plans to do an audit on every department to see if funds are being utilized properly and where cuts could be made.

The ticket wants to emphasize building relationships and having recurring meetings with administration, clubs and student organization’s leadership.

Walsh, running with Goodwin, is SG’s deputy financial officer. He said the ticket’s goal is to communicate students’ wants and needs to administrators and facilitate a response. 

He said he hopes to “revitalize” SG’s Bulls Student Advisors, which provides information to students regarding how the student conduct process works.

“This campaign isn’t just about policies or leaders,” Walsh said. “It’s about choosing what you want for USF.”

Voting will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m March 3-6 online and at polling stations on campus.