Even though the 24 independent candidates in the upcoming Student Government election are running decentralized campaigns, they have still agreed to run on a common platform.
The Independent Coalition of Students’ platform includes some long-standing issues of debate, such as using online voting, switching from Webmail to Gmail and expanding free printing.
“The most important thing to realize is that there are a lot of issues on the platform that have been raised before,” said Neil Gundavda, spokesman for the newly formed coalition.
He said the candidates are still putting emphasis on their own ideas that pertain to their respective districts.
Gundavda said all of the candidates are new to SG.
“All of the candidates are fresh faces,” he said.
The newcomers have brought new issues to the table for this election cycle, including reforming Gator Dining Services options, working with Regional Transit System to create a route dedicated to busing students to grocery stores and letting students keep their parking spots on game days.
“A lot of students think it’s not fair that students have to move their cars on game day,” Gundavda said.
According to the platform, candidates in the coalition want to work with Gator Dining Services to create more meal plan options, expand after-hours dining on campus and bring Wendy’s back to the Reitz Union.
Another suggestion is to push the university to partner with off-campus restaurants so that students can use meal plans to eat out.
“If UF were to make a deal with Saigon Legend, you could use your meal plan,” Gundavda said.
The coalition also plans to address the issue of compensation for SG’s highest positions, including president, vice president and treasurer.
Gundavda said that a volunteer student government would be best, but he understands the need for small steps.
“The fundamental goal is to get rid of them entirely, but we don’t object to compromise.”
