The Student Government Association presidential candidates met last week to debate their platforms and persuade students to vote for them in today’s election.

The Student Government Association presidential candidates met last week to debate their platforms and persuade students to vote for them in today’s election. DaVonta Woods, a senior public relations and psychology major from Charlotte debated Allahquan Tate, a junior architecture engineering major from Fayetteville.

Woods and Tate answered an array of questions dealing with the student constitution as well as their platforms. In an effort to get the word out to students, both candidates agreed that dorm storming, talking to students walking on campus and holding informal meetings in different locations such as the cafeteria are all good measures to take to reach the students and get them involved.

Woods stands on the platform of uniting the entities and sectors within the SGA and helping to make Aggies equipped to compete on a global level.

Along with his SGA involvement, Woods has experience as a resident assistant, an Aggie Student Ambassador and a founding member of The Charlotte Seven which helps to assist with retention.

He said that his willingness to help and big heart have groomed him for this position and sets him apart from past SGA presidents and his opponent, Tate.

“I didn’t choose this position, this position chose me,” he said. Woods slogan is “by any means necessary” and one thing he says he will push by any means necessary is programs to assist with retention. He wants to implement programs to assist students to make sure they are able to continue their education here at North Carolina A&T. Woods wants to make sure the student body knows that the SGA cares and has an open office. “You are a part of SGA as much as I am. The only difference is that I have a title,” he said.

Tate said he wants to revive Aggie Pride. Although he believes the pride is not dead, he said it needs to be revamped because students have begun to take pride in the wrong things instead of more academic achievements and supporting all of our athletic teams and student organizations.

“My administration will be a defibrillator,” Tate said. “We will give Aggie Pride a jolt and bring it back to life.” Tate also has experience under his belt within the SGA as well as with Aggie Students Ambassadors, Housing and Residence Life leadership, Auxiliary Services and AmeriCorps.

He said that his involvement with these organizations has prepared him for this position and his genuine passion for A&T and personable character set him apart from past Presidents and his opponent. “I never wanted to be anything other than North Carolina A&T student body President,” he said. “This is something that’s been nesting and festering in my brain for a long time now.”

Victoria Griffin, a freshman computer science major from Chicago, attended the debate and said she was glad she had the chance to hear the candidate’s points of view and what they could and would bring to the table.

Griffin added that the question she walked in hoping to get answered was what they would each do for the school if elected and what they would change within the SGA and she was satisfied with their responses.

When asked which side was she leaning toward after hearing what they had to say she said, “I became split because they both made good points and both have a lot to offer.”

Woods said that his willingness to help and ability to get results is why you should vote for him while Tate believes that his passion, skills, tools and dedication is what makes him right for the job. Voting is today in Exhibit Hall located in the Student Union or you could vote online from 8a.m until 6 p.m.

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• Kimberly Fields, Contributor