This year's candidates for the Duke Student Government vice president for athletics and campus services focus on a variety of resolutions in their platforms-seeking change on issues surrounding Tailgate to problems associated with on-campus parking.
Junior Bennet Grill said his primary objective will be to "save Tailgate." Freshman Peter Schork said he plans to emphasize increasing student input in decision-making.
The vice president for athletics and campus services must have a solid understanding of all aspects of Duke and be prepared for a large commitment, said incumbent Mike Lefevre, a sophomore.
"It requires you to be aware of everything at Duke and you need a full grasp of [its] multidimensional nature," he said.
Grill, current chief financial officer of Devil's Delivery Service, said he chose to run for the position to make a difference.
"It's the position where I could make the most tangible changes to the University," he said.
Grill said he plans to reopen the Blue Zone for cars during Tailgate, open more lots and remove limitations on how much alcohol an individual is allowed to bring into the event. He also noted that his experience working with off-campus restaurants has made him familiar with Duke's dining processes.
Grill proposes implementing a community watch system and upgrading the SAFERides program because he said he is concerned with student safety both on Central Campus and off East Campus.
He will also look into the creation of a 24/7 Automated Postal Center in the Bryan Center to accommodate students with late schedules, he said.
Schork, an athletics and campus services senator, said he plans to improve campus dining options by extending the Great Hall's hours to match those of the Marketplace and by soliciting student input on how to improve food quality in the Great Hall. He also said he intends to increase vegetarian options in campus eateries.
Schork noted that he hopes to redesign the current parking ticket system. Under his plan, first time parking offenders would receive lesser penalties and parking signage would be clarified, he said.
"The card system is not an adequate deterrent for parking tickets," he said. "The review process and signage isn't clear."
Schork, who helped found the Duke Safety Commission, said he would create a safety report based on student input that he will present to administrators and the chief of Duke University Police Department to improve both on- and off-campus security.
With regards to Tailgate, Schork said he will advocate opening more lots to student activity and offering University subsidized food and drink.
"You're getting pretty equal candidates," Lefevre said of Grill and Schork. "They both have their benefits."
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