Elon University juniors Patrick Brown and Welsford Bishopric are vying to replace incumbent SGA Executive President Darien Flowers, whose tenure was hallmarked by the contentious debate regarding Chick-fil-A’s presence on campus. Bishopric, SGA executive treasurer, and Brown, SGA junior class treasurer, engaged in a debate Feb. 14 to highlight their ideas and qualifications for the position.

Senior Christine Mavraganis fielded five questions to the candidates, and the first centered on Chick-fil-A. She noted many students felt the SGA wasn’t the appropriate forum to decide whether Chick-fil-A should remain on campus, and she asked how each candidate planned to handle similar controversies.

Bishopric said he intends to foster thoughtful discussion by organizing small groups to consider and debate the issue.

“A problem that is truly contentious can only be counteracted by community conversations,” he said. “Chick-fil-A provided an excellent opportunity for students to give rhetorical responses to a large group, but there were no small groups to converse about what the issue really meant — not on a senate level or a community level.”

Brown said he felt the SGA handled the issue as well as it could at the time, and he plans to handle future controversies in a similar manner.

“The most important thing was that there was a discussion that allowed the student body to speak out,” he said. “I think that having that discussion in the same way again is the best way to resolve issues like that.”

Each candidate then explained how he would utilize the SGA to serve the student body. Brown said he would try to meet the needs of the general student population — such as a coffee kiosk in Belk Library and more vending options in the fine arts building  — and clearly establish a forum for more specific concerns.

Bishopric said he would focus on funding student organizations and listening to organization leaders.

“The most underutilized thing is the organization,” he said. “I want to make sure students know how to get in touch with us.”

In regard to student safety, each candidate said he intends to strengthen the Elon community and maintain connections with the Elon police and fire departments.

“It’s not just knowing all the doors are locked,” Bishopric said. “It’s knowing you’re in a situation where you have 5,200 students to get you through it.”

Brown recalled last semester’s incident involving a student who was subjected to racial slurs.

“I think the SGA did a good job leading the racial slur discussion,” he said. “We need to make sure it’s a forum for student concern.”

Each candidate was then given the opportunity to explain his qualifications for the position. In addition to his tenure as junior class treasurer, Brown served as chairman of Elon’s College Republicans club and worked to bring several politicians to campus. He chaired the SGA’s “Fun Fund” this term, and he has served on the Honor Board since his sophomore year.

Bishopric served as SGA executive treasurer this term, and he is a Business Fellow in the Love School of Business. He has represented Elon at several international case competitions through the business program.

To conclude the debate, each candidate reiterated how the SGA can benefit the student body.

“Allowing SGA to be as effective as possible is the best way to affect changes on campus,” Bishopric said.

Brown expressed a similar sentiment.

“I think that having every student remember that the SGA is there to help them is the best way we can move forward,” he said.