Mikhail Klimentov (left) and Joshua Burton

Today was the official Sandwich Ambassador candidate debate. Bwog sent Joseph Milholland, Satow Room Chief and Sandwich Fan, to cover the event. It was less than exciting.

At the beginning of the scheduled half hour for the Sandwich Ambassador Debate, only one candidate, first-year Joshua Burton, had shown up in the Satow Room. Of the nine candidates, only one said he was not able to show up. The moderators, Abby Abrams and Joey Levy, gave Burton time to introduce himself and asked him the three questions they had prepared for the debate and asked for questions from the audience. Junior Mikhail Klimentov arrived halfway through the debate. The moderators went through the same process with him. At the end of the debate, the Sandwich Ambassador Candidates gave their closing statements.

Burton and Klimentov’s Statements:

Introductions

• Burton said he is basing his platform on one event that would that would invite Morningside Heights restaurants onto Columbia’s campus where they would advertise and have “unabridged access” to students. In exchange, the businesses would give more student discounts.

• Klimentov said sandwiches are not a “necessity,” but he doesn’t want them to be “cost-prohibitive.” He said he wants his campaign to focus on the people on financial aid who he has spoken to about financial obstacles. He also hopes that his changes will help the entire student body.

Broad Goal for Sandwich Ambassador

• Burton wanted businesses to understand that students are a strong presence in the Morningside Heights area but can’t spend a lot of money. Also, he wanted to ensure that the student body helps businesses around the community and vice-versa.

• Klimentov said that the Sandwich Ambassador needs to maintain a “somewhat humorous tone” but, do “behind-the-scenes,” work for more accessible dining options for entire student population.

State of the Sandwich Address

• Burton wanted to use the State of the Sandwich address to highlight businesses that have supported Columbia students, to inform about businesses that have not helped the student community, and to emphasize what he’s gotten done (he hopes to end the $10 sandwich and $11 Chipotle meal).

• Klimentov emphasized that he had been part of a scriptwriting team on CUMB, so the State of the Sandwich Address appeals to him. He said he has three ideas for Sandwich Ambassador: 1) A Guide of prices in Mornigside Heights plus info on secret menu items and deals. 2) A “crowdsourced recipe book” 3) Communication with students on financial aid about their dining issues.

How to End $10 Sandwich

• Burton wants “to bring concern directly to businesses,” and, if they do not lower prices, he wants to “encourage” students to go else to show the businesses how much of a “consumer vote” students have.

• Klimentov emphasized that at many places, such as Hamdel and Subsconcious, the $10 sandwich doesn’t exist. For Milano’s, which has more expensive sandwiches, he wants to ask the management there for student discounts on certain days.

Questions from the Audience

• Sean Augustine-Obi, editor-in-chief of The Lion, which circulated the Sandwich Ambassador petition, asked Burton what he would do to educate student consumers. Burton said he wanted to create an app for students that could help them budget their grocery shopping from their dorm room.

• Dan Stone asked Burton why he was running as a first-year for Sandwich Ambassador and not student council. Burton replied that he had run for student council in his high school and found it was too “broad” which leads to “empty promises and nothing actually getting done.” He likes that the Sandwich Ambassador has a focused role.

• Dan Stone also asked Klimentkov about what issues affect students with limited incomes. Klimentkov responded by saying he wants to “inspire” conversations about class, which he feels is not addressed much at Columbia, with the Sandwich Ambassador position. Dan Stone then asked him if he is for “the distribution of wealth.” Klimentkov wondered if he was “the socialist candidate for Sandwich Ambassador” and then said, “I haven’t really figured out what my ideological position as Sandwich Ambassador is.”

Closing Statements

• Klimentov said his platform is “somewhat focused on” students with financial aid and monetary hardships, but he wants to benefit the whole student body as well.

• Burton said he wanted the student population and businesses to work with each other, and he wants to work for discounts across the entire neighborhood.