With just a handful of spectators in the audience to watch, debates for two Government of the Student Body senate races proceeded Thursday night, though many of the candidates did not know how to react to the low turnout.

The debates were two of four total Senate debates; two more are scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

A meet-and-greet scheduled instead of a debate for the off-campus government positions also experienced low turnout.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

A single spectator watched as GSB Liberal Arts and Sciences senatorial candidates debated in Gilman Hall.

“We can’t get every person to care about the issues,” said Luke Gran, LAS senatorial candidate.

Six of the seven candidates were present for the scheduled debate that quickly became a discussion regarding students’ apathy toward the GSB election.

Candidate Brandon Gray failed to show up for the event.

“It does not seem like students care about the senate race,” said David Tillinghast, GSB of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences senator and Daily staff writer.

All candidates agreed that student apathy toward GSB is at an all-time high.

The candidates said they believe GSB needs to more actively pursue student input on issues.

Off-Campus Government

Ten of the 12 off-campus GSB senate candidates gathered Thursday night to discuss the roles of an off-campus senator in front of a few spectators in Kildee Hall.

The role of a senator is to represent the constituents of everyone who goes to Iowa State and lives off-campus, said Lori Neuman-Lee, junior in biology, who is an incumbent senator.

Many students are unaware of the roles of off-campus GSB senators, a fact well-known among the senators.

“People don’t know senators or what they’re doing,” said Andrea Smook, senior in chemical engineering.

“The senators are always open to talking with students about issues.”

There are plenty of opportunities for students to get involved in off-campus government, Smook said.

College of Engineering

Four students listened to six College of Engineering senator candidates Thursday at Hoover Hall.

Building relationships with the community and increasing communication between students and senators were two of the major issues discussed.

“It’s almost a parent-child relationship,” said Joshua Robinson, sophomore in industrial engineering, who is running for GSB Engineering senator. “What we can do is work on the personal relationships.”

He said more networking is necessary between ISU students and the city of Ames.

Opponent Anthony Barsic, sophomore in electrical engineering, said many students do not realize what GSB does. Barsic said this would be solved by improving the GSB Web site to have more direct communication with students.

Spectator Matt Janowicz, junior in materials science engineering, said he was disappointed with the debate.

“I was expecting actual solutions to problems,” he said.