Candidates were given two minutes to respond to questions and one minute to make rebuttals. The debate was moderated by The Dartmouth's executive editor Felicia Schwartz '14.
The debate began with a discussion on the Assembly's visibility and connection to students, which candidates agreed could be improved.
Many students believe that the Assembly "doesn't get anything done," Wood said. She suggested that the group increase its focus on issues that affect students' daily lives, such as improving GreenPrint reliability and providing covered bike racks, as these smaller projects could more effectively increase the Assembly's visibility and reputation.
Ferrari said the Assembly president's role should be that of "a work horse, not a show horse," and said it needs to improve the quality of its programming.
"If the [Assembly] is expected to produce something, then, when it follows through with it, students won't be apathetic," he said.
Ramirez said the Assembly should provide more venues for students to provide feedback and suggestions.
Leger suggested that the organization take a more proactive role and reach out to the leaders of student groups on campus. She suggested that the Assembly designate liaison positions to facilitate on-going interactions with these groups.
"The Assembly needs to get involved with all the other groups on campus, " she said. "We have to send out administrators to coordinate those groups."
When candidates were asked how they would work to make administrative actions more transparent, given the Assembly's role as an intermediary between the administration, Ramirez said he hopes that he can build a stronger relationship between the two bodies.
Leger noted the importance of communication in strengthening the relationship with the administration. She hopes to meet with administrators at least three times a week to facilitate an on-going dialogue about student affairs.
Ferrari said the most effective way to keep administrative actions transparent is to ensure coordination between student groups.
"Inter-Community Council, Student Assembly and Palaeopitus should all be 'on the same page,'" Ferrari said.
Wood agreed with the other candidates about the importance of communication and noted that a stronger relationship between the Assembly and the College would be beneficial for students. She suggested that the Assembly reach out to undergraduate advisors and other campus leaders to monitor the issues that students face.
When asked about the administration's policies on hazing, sexual assault and binge drinking, the contestants disagreed on ways to improve current policies.
Wood said the Assembly should help facilitate coordination between existing campus groups to address these issues, adding that the College needs to more clearly define what hazing is.
"In terms of hazing, Dartmouth needs a definition that is Dartmouth-specific," she said.
While Ramirez agreed that better coordination between student groups might be helpful, he did not agree with Wood's proposition to create new Assembly-led initiatives.
"If we make too many programs, it'll just start overlapping," he said.
Ferrari said he would try to work with existing campus groups to address these problems, while Leger said she believed a single group would be more effective at addressing issues related to sexual assault.
"I don't think that people are getting the help they want," Leger said. "I think that we need to harp on that, that it is affecting individuals."
Candidates were asked about Dartmouth's global image and brand, and specifically about how they would want Dartmouth to market itself to future students.
Ramirez said he would work to counter a perception of Dartmouth as an elite school to make it more welcoming.
"As an Ivy League institution, we should work to eliminate that image," he said. "We have to come up with different ways to appeal to the global population."
Leger said she would emphasize the sense of community at Dartmouth.
Wood said that on a global scale, Dartmouth's image "has been hurt" by recent hazing scandals and incidents of bias on campus, though an increased focus on positive programs such as athletics could improve Dartmouth's image.
The Inter-Community Council will host the next debate Thursday evening.
