SBP candidates talk sexual assault policy, inclusion at Young Democrats debate

Student body president candidates Maurice Grier and Elizabeth Adkins debated in the UNC Young Democrats debate in Manning Hall. Senior writer Brinley Lowe live-tweeted the debate. 

At the end of the Young Democrats debate tonight, YD members will vote to endorse Elizabeth Adkins, endorse Maurice Grier or endorse no one

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) February 28, 2017

"I am a minority woman, a first generation college student. I know how it feels to not have a seat at the table"--Elizabeth Adkins

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) February 28, 2017

Adkins said the most important issue for the Board of Trustees to address is sexual assault

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) February 28, 2017

Grier, a survivor of sexual assault, said he wants to create a system for sexual assault survivors to report perpetrators discretely

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) February 28, 2017

Grier said political apathy needs to be addressed along with increasing voter registration

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) February 28, 2017

Grier said if he becomes student body president, he will advocate for Chancellor Folt to make a statement against HB2

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) February 28, 2017

Grier said spaces for marginalized groups should be placed in the center of campus

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) February 28, 2017

Adkins said she reached out to marginalized groups on campus to incorporate them in her platform

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) February 28, 2017

Adkins said she will reach out to minority groups and ask them to apply to the executive branch

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) February 28, 2017

Grier said Morehead-Cain scholars are over-represented in student government's executive branch

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) February 28, 2017

Grier said he wants UNC to be a "sanctuary campus" for undocumented students

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) February 28, 2017

"As the daughter of immigrants, I understand that immigrants are what makes this country great"--Adkins

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) February 28, 2017

Adkins said the LFIT curriculum should incorporate mental health

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) February 28, 2017

Grier said students who can't afford mental health care should receive vouchers

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) February 28, 2017

"Being a woman and being a member of the Greek community, sexual assault is something we encounter every day"--Elizabeth Adkins

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) February 28, 2017

Adkins said UNC is in a unique position to be a champion of sexual assault

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) February 28, 2017

Adkins said student government should create a permanent committee on sexual assault to keep the conversation going

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) February 28, 2017

Adkins said when she sat down with the Board of Trustees, they had no idea that sexual assault is so hard to report

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) February 28, 2017

Maurice Grier said student government needs to do a better job of allocating funds to all student groups

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) February 28, 2017

The Young Democrats student body president debate just ended. Dues-paying YD members are voting on which candidate the group will endorse

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) February 28, 2017

The Young Democrats have voted to endorse Elizabeth Adkins

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) March 1, 2017

"I'm honored that they were able to see the importance of our policies and believe in the message of our campaign"--Adkins on YD endorsement

— University Desk (@DTH_UDesk) March 1, 2017

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