ET Executive Editor Eileen Rush sat down with the candidates running for SGA President – Stephen Linebarger, T.J. Mitchell and Travis Lockner. Here’s a condensed version but you can view the interview, with more questions and a special cameo by Dr. Sally Lee, in a video available online at www.easttennessean.com.Webmaster’s note: the videos have been uploaded to YouTube. There are several videos all together and for your convenience they have been embedded at the end of the article.

Eileen: First off, describe yourself, your educational “career” at ETSU, and what made you want to run for SGA president.
Stephen: I’m a biology major and a chemistry minor with a 3.2 GPA. I’d like to say that I’m a pretty even-minded person, very level-headed. I have a good sense of humor. I have a strong work ethic, so I like to get the job done, but I like to have a good time while I’m doing that . I like to help people, and I feel that I can really better this campus just by providing different activities for the students, but also to be their voice.
TJ: I am majoring in chemistry with a minor in philosophy. I’m in the university scholars program and I’m also in the pre-med/med program. I served as president of the honors college council here and I’ve also been on the executive board for ETSU Admissions Ambassadors. I really like to go out and make a positive impact on the world that I’m in, that’s so important. I don’t like to just sit back and watch things happen around me. Why I’m running for SGA president – I would say that’s because there are so many major issues happening right now on this campus that affect so many people – things that are going to affect students 10 years down the road. I want to be a part of those decisions and make sure that students are represented.
Travis: I am a junior, but this is my second year at ETSU, majoring in psychology and a minor in sociology. I plan to continue at ETSU getting my master’s in psychology, then get my Ph.D. After that I’ll start counseling, working for a non-profit organization and then go to UTK or Duke to become a lawyer . I guess my biggest thing is to always talk. I tend to never shut up, nor have I ever met a stranger. I guess one thing that I love about myself is that I always enjoy and create awkward moments . My biggest thing is really being open and just talking about everything that I’ve gone through and being able to help those with my stories and my struggles. Running for president, pretty much everyone’s already said they want to help the students, but I guess the biggest part I want to focus on student knowledge and student rights.
Eileen: This question comes from Rhiannon Hartman, a graduate student. Why are you running for office? What do you actually want to do? I am not talking about your run-of-the-mill politician bull**** answer of, ‘I want to see change on campus and be the voice of the students!’ Whatever. What do you actually plan to do about issues? How do you know what they are? What steps have you taken to be informed of what the students really say?
Stephen: This year, as vice president of SGA, I’ve been in contact with the administration on several different occasions . I always try to keep my ears open for anything that could be happening . I work very hard at trying to be friends to everybody that I meet. There’s really not one person I can think of that I don’t like or can’t get along with. And so, I’ll ask them, “Is there something going on?”
TJ: I’ve learned this past week more than ever, I’ve talked to as many people as I can, but on the campaign trail we have learned so much. I have been on several committees working on parking especially. I want to work with the administration, because ultimately they have the final say.
Travis: What I plan to do, and this goes back to one of my goals, is to strengthen the relationship between the administration and students. Like everyone else I plan to work with administration and plan to talk to the students and try to go higher than that, to get TBR involved . But the biggest thing I’ve done is listened, especially sitting in class. One big thing is listening to students, but also listening to faculty and staff.
Eileen: If you could change one thing on campus, what would it be? This question comes from Ben Sledge, a sophomore digital media major.
Stephen: I would change involvement and pride. I want students to feel that this university is their home.
TJ: If I could change anything it would be a more practical matter. Such as, I would go back to the 1980s and build a parking garage.
Travis: My biggest one would be diversity, whether it’s sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religious views, political views . Also, safety is a big issue that goes along with diversity. Whether you’re black or white, male or female, gay or straight, you should feel safe on campus.
Eileen: This was submitted by Lindsey Garth, a senior history major. Do you think there are diversity issues on campus or does ETSU embrace students of all cultural backgrounds?
Stephen: Of course there are diversity issues. I don’t think you can honestly respond ‘no.’ . And that’s sad, that’s truly a sad situation in which you can’t be open in a college setting because college is about the free exchange of ideas. It’s about being who you are or learning who you are or accepting who you are or changing who you are. And if you can’t do that here, where else can you do that? . But I think there are steps that can be taken to change the situation.
TJ: Yes, we have to acknowledge it’s a problem now . We have to support the Office of Multicultural Affairs. They’ve done such a good job this year of putting on a very diverse programming lineup for this semester and last semester, but the SGA has to connect all of the students together. We have the opportunity to function as a bridge between all students … We have to also look at how we get the campus diversified in the first place, and that’s where we have to work with the office of undergraduate admissions. The office of admissions right now has one counselor that’s dedicated to minority recruitment. I would like to see that area increased.
Travis: There’s obviously a big diversity issue on campus . The best way to fix that is, one, it all starts in education. Educating administration and teachers will in turn educate students, which then goes to the community. Dealing with immediate action is on April 15 at 10 a.m. myself along with some other people from the diversity committee are going to be meeting with the President’s Council to go over diversity within ETSU as well as within the curriculum.
Eileen: This question is for T.J. and comes from Ash-Lee Henderson, a senior English major. She said, T.J., you made a comment on Facebook calling Barack Obama’s preacher a “crazy racist” and stating, “let’s kick Barack outta the country forever!” Would you like to elaborate on these statements, which have offended several ETSU students?
TJ: It’s regrettable that happened. I mean, it was not intended in any way to offend anybody. It was not meant in any racist way whatsoever . I realize now that some people may not have seen that at all humorous. Looking back, I don’t at all . But one of the things that I think it has done in this election is that we’re talking about diversity right now . So, it can be looked at as a negative thing, but we should try and get something positive out of it.
Eileen: The final question comes from criminal mastermind Justin Mitchell, a senior majoring in biology and illustration. How does Dr. Stanton keep his mustache so neat?
Stephen: I’d have to say it’s a two-hour minimum grooming commitment, at least. I’ve seen him on multiple occasions . and it’s always sparkling white.
TJ: Chuck Norris does it. Only he could make Dr. Stanton look that good.
Travis: When I talk to Paul, I really don’t stare at his ‘stache. I want to say it’s magic, or not even a real mustache. He probably just sticks it on every morning.
SGA elections will take place online at www.etsu.edu from Tuesday, April 8 at 8 a.m. to Wednesday, April 9 at 6 p.m.

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