What was meant to be an open dialogue for students to learn more about Student Government turned into a debate.
The Omicron Zeta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. hosted an open dialogue called "UF Dissected: Campus Politics" on Monday night at Norman Hall, where students could get informed about SG and listen to other students’ experiences in SG.
Student Body Treasurer Nicholas Carre, independent student Sen. Katelynd Todd and former Swamp Sen. Nadia Kemal spoke at the panel. Carre spoke about Access Party and Todd spoke about her experience in senate and about Impact. Todd is not affiliated with Impact and was not acting as a spokeswoman, said Blake Murphy, Impact’s campaign manager.
One of the main issues discussed was diversity outreach.
"I want to increase black enrollment — period," Todd said.
Carre said the first priority should be getting the black community to feel comfortable on campus.
"It’s not simple," he said. "It takes more than just going to a high school."
Todd agreed that there needed to be a change in climate on campus, but she said minority students need to get to campus first.
Even though the event seemed like a debate, it was not an official SG debate. An official debate was planned for Monday night at the Bob Graham Center for Public Service, but fell through.
Matthew Hoeck, external affairs director for Access asked Emma Humphries, the Graham Center’s civic engagement coordinator, to moderate the event.
When she asked Hoeck to explain the rules, she said she learned questions were usually supplied by a third party. The Graham Center reached out to the Alligator, the Gainesville Sun and Multicultural Affairs for questions.
"It would just be really easy for me to be accused of bias," she said.
Humphries said she never had contact with party leaders from Impact or Access, despite being told both sides would be in contact.
Shelby Taylor, the digital/communications director for the Graham Center, said she contacted UF Student Affairs about confusion surrounding the debate.
"They weren’t clear what was going on," she said.
After seeing their confusion, the Graham Center decided to take a step back, she said.
She said she hopes the Graham Center can host the debate for the Spring elections.
Former Swamp Sen. Nadia Kema (from left), Student Body Treasurer Nicholas Carre and independent student Sen. Katelynd Todd speak at an open dialogue on Sept. 28, 2015.
