Only seven of the 22 announced senatorial candidates attended a debate Tuesday night aimed at familiarizing the campus community with the candidates in preparation for the upcoming Government of the Student Body election on March 3.

Approximately 40 people were in the audience while candidates for senatorial and executive positions within the GSB responded to questions about the efficiency and relevancy of the organization in the Maintenance Shop of the Memorial Union.

“Actually, a lot of things get done through GSB, including efforts to stabilize tuition,” said Sheena Spurgin, junior in agricultural business and current agriculture senator.

The election committee planned the event to appeal to students, starting the event with a performance by the student band Rubicon Crossing and providing a bar throughout the event.

Candidates were also asked questions regarding a recent internal and student survey, which showed a lack of student understanding regarding the activities and purpose of GSB.

Asked by moderator Luke Jennett, senior in journalism and mass communication, to respond to “accusations of monstrous inefficiency” within GSB, candidates suggested improved communication to help students understand what GSB does.

“What do we do to rectify this problem? We talk to people,” said Jonathan Bracewell, junior in political science and candidate for the off-campus representative.

Bracewell and other candidates discussed the possibility of creating an official position of press secretary and increasing the reporting of GSB activities by the Daily.

Candidates were also questioned regarding “poll results showing that 50 percent of students have no idea of what GSB is or does.”

“Fifty percent of the student population is about 15,000 students who don’t know what GSB is – that’s a huge problem,” Bracewell said.

Student apathy was suggested as a major culprit, but candidates suggested that more can be done to help students understand GSB.

Candidate Ian Guffy, junior in political science, was hopeful, saying “it’s a battle that continues every year, [but] that doesn’t mean we don’t have to keep trying.”

He later added that “it’s not for GSB senators to just sit there and wait for students to come to them – they have to be engaged.”

After the questioning of the senatorial candidates, candidates running for GSB president and vice president were given a chance to introduce their campaigns and to face off in a debate.

Emily Jensen, junior in political science, and Sara Faber, junior in public service and administration in agriculture, presented three major campaign points, including communication, community and the cultural center in the Memorial Union.

“We need to see GSB be more proactive,” Jensen said.

Opposing candidates Henry Alliger, senior in animal science, and Brooks Nelson, sophomore in public service and administration in agriculture, also focused on the cultural center, as well as tuition issues and entertainment options in Ames. They also discussed the power of students to initiate political change.

“If you want to see a change in GSB, think about what that will take in regards to personnel,” Alliger said. “Keep that in mind when you vote.”