Mirror - Vol. 31, No. 19 - February 23, 2006

              WEEK OF February 23,2006
Vol. 31,Iss. 19-20 pages
FREE - Take One
CANDIDATE
PLATFORMS
Page 2
EDITORIAL: THE
MIRROR'S CHOICE
FOR
FUSA
PRESIDENT
Page 7
Fairfield University
PUS-A
LETTERS:
CANDIDATES SPEAK
OUT
Page 8
MThe _ IDDAD WWW.FAIRFIELDMIRROR.COM
The independent student newspaper
of Fairfield University
FUSA FACEOFF IN THE BGC
Mark Servidio/The Mirror
Something to talk about: Sophomores Megan McConville and Hutchinson Williams (above left),.and juniors Ashley Toombs and Ryan
Neubauer (above right) speak at the FUSA debate in the BCC on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
FUSA Pres and V.P. candidates debate for slim audience; elections on Feb. 28
BY TARA E. LYNCH & JESS MITCHELL
With FUSA elections less than a week
away, fewer then 50 spectators were in atten-dance
at the presidential debates on Tuesday
as candidates squared off for one of the most
important events of the election season.
Approximately 35 people filled the 50
available seats at the annual FUSA presiden-tial
debate in the lower level of the Barone
Campus Center on Tuesday; however, many
of those in attendance were current FUSA
members and campaigners for each ticket.
"I really wish that more people had
attended the debates," said current FUSA
President Jessica DiBuono '06.
Elections for FUSA President and Vice
President, senators and class council will be
held on Tuesday, Feb. 28 on the lower level
of the BCC.
This year's candidates for FUSA Presi-dent
are Ryan Neubauer '07 and Hutchinson
Williams '08. Neubauer is the cousin of
Kevin Neubauer '05, who served as FUSA
President in 2003 and 2004 during his junior
year.
Vice Presidential candidates this year
are Senators Ashley Toombs '07, who is run-ning
on a ticket with Neubauer, and Megan
McConville '08, who is running on a ticket
with Williams.
While candidates may choose to run on
a shared ticket, students have the option of
voting across tickets.
During the debates, candidates intro-duced
their reasons for running and their
election platforms. For a full outline of
candidate platforms see page 2.
Traditionally, debates are held prior
to the primary elections for presidential
and vice presidential candidates. This year,
there were no primary elections since only
two candidates applied for each position,
according to DiBuono.
This was the first time in her four years
at Fairfield that there was no presidential
primary, DiBuono said.
Seats may have been empty, but some
students peered over the railings as they
walked through the BCC to catch a glimpse
of this year's new debate format. '
"I didn't have the time to sit, but it was
cool how the candidates were responding to
each other - and from what I heard, they had
good answers to each others' questions," said
Marlena Riccio '09.
Like in years past, candidates presented
opening statements, their election platforms,
a closing statement, and had a chance to
respond to their opponents.
New features in this year's debate
included a chance for candidates to pose a
question to their opponents and an oppor-tunity
for audience members to ask ques-
SEE "DEBATE" ON P. 2
Sea Grape reopens after renovations; Post Rd. bars lament
BY SARAH SEXTON
Lindsey Ault-Authier '06 said the Sea
Grape's reopening on Friday, Feb. 10 was
long awaited. She was devastated when the
popular bar closed in mid December
"Senior morale was low," she said.
"The vibe on the beach was just not the
same. I'm so happy it reopened."
Some beach residents said they enjoy
the convenience of the bar and the familiar-ity
of knowing who frequents it.
"The Grape goes hand in hand with
living at the beach, but students go to the
Grape to find out where the after party or
late night partying is going on. It's more just
a starting point for the night," said Michelle
Kolind '06.
Other students said they didn't mind the
bar being closed.
"I actually didn't miss the Grape
because I felt like the parties at the beach
were more fun and lasted longer when it was
closed," said Rob Gulati '06.
Local bar and restaurant owners said
they noticed an increase in business while
the Sea Grape was on hiatus. Many students
ventured to bars on Post Road such as Sky-box
and Bravo.
"We were definitely packed," Skybox
bartender Jennifer Brennan said. "This week
has been pretty slow."
"Skybox's deceptively spacious interior
with plenty of seating and a pool table had
surprisingly few patrons at 8 p.m. this past
Thursday evening," she added.
Bravo owner Mike Constand said he
saw a lot of first-time people who told him
they would continue to visit the bar on
Tuesdays.
"I prefer having a packed house of
Fairfield students to a packed house of 20
to 30-year-olds," he said. "Fairfield students
are mostly very respectful."
While Constand described Fairfield
students as endearing, Fairfield Police have
one problem with them.
"We don't have any resentment," Lieu-tenant
Michael Walsh said. "However, if you
ask me about reasoning with people who
are intoxicated, it's trying because they're
unreasonable."
But Walsh also said the police depart-
SEE "FAIRFIELD" ON P. 4