Creighton Students Union candidates for president and executive vice president faced off on Monday night in a well-attended debate.

The presidential candidates, Donna Shahbazi, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Maddie Tagaloa, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences spent nearly 30 minutes fielding questions regarding their platforms, experiences, and audience-raised issues including sexual assault.

In her opening statement, Tagaloa noted the students’ role in her presidency. “[We need to] make sure we are being more of your advocates. We have open forums but the marketing isn’t there.” Tagaloa also spoke to the importance of diversity and inclusion, in particular, providing gender neutral bathrooms in campus buildings.

Tagaloa spoke specifically to the importance of including graduate students multiple times. Currently, Tagaloa said, “Their voice isn’t being heard, a lot of programming isn’t being geared towards them.”

However, Tagaloa also noted the importance of the presence of CSU executives, encouraging students to interact with executives so leadership wouldn’t seem like “figureheads.”

Shahbazi introduced herself and her platform, saying “The two of us want to work to a greener campus…and we want to lead Omaha in sustainability.” Shahbazi is running with Jessie Lee, a sophomore in the Heider College of Business. Shahbazi and Lee’s platform also includes policy on inclusivity and diversity, and transparency.

Notably, the candidates platforms are very similar, and they were asked by the moderator, Molly Bohannon, a senior in the college of arts and sciences, why students should choose them specifically, despite the similarities in their goals.

Both candidates took the chance to integrate their campaign slogans into their answers, with Shahbazi offering the opportunity “to see Creighton through a new lens” if elected into office. Tagaloa emphasized that her campaign is about making sure every student “has a voice.”

The night began with the sole Executive Vice President candidate, Jessie Lee, a sophomore in the Heider College of Business, fielding questions. Jessie spoke first to the skills that would qualify him to be EVP, highlighting his communication skills and energy.

In terms of specific policy, Lee was asked about what changes he would want to see, given that he has two more years at Creighton. Lee hopes to fast-track the carbon-neutral plan, originally slated to be completed by 2050, saying, “We want to try to update that cycle to 2038.”

Lee did not shy away from noting the challenges their platform might face, saying, “The biggest challenge is trying to break that barrier right now” referring to transparency.

One audience question touched on the importance of writing legislation. Shahbazi did not address her lack of experience in crafting legislation but instead focused on the passion that her and Lee have, while Tagaloa encouraged students who write legislation to integrate with peers, in order to better understand the needs of students.

Both presidential candidates were asked if sexual assault is a problem on campus, and both provided ways to combat the problem .

Tagaloa suggested, “Give more money or provide more safe spaces for survivors to tell their stories” in response.

Shahbazi noted the national nature of the problem, saying “there is a lack of education” on campus and consistency problems in discipline.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Results will be revealed at 8 p.m. in the Skutt Student Center.