Students and community members have the opportunity to hear Student Association executive officer candidates and mayoral candidates square off in two debates this week.

The SA debate will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today at the Holmes Student Center’s Diversions Lounge. The debate will focus on the responsibilities of each position and the impact each could have on the university next year. There are two candidates each running for president, vice president and treasurer, and four are battling for the student trustee position. Discussion of how the candidates plan to spend money allocated to the SA from student fees also is expected.

A debate between DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow and challenger Frank Van Buer will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the HSC’s Capitol Room. The debate will include both candidates’ speeches on their approaches to local growth, questions from the Northern Star editorial board, questions the candidates may ask each other and questions submitted by audience members prior to the debate.

Both debates are sponsored by the Northern Star and will be moderated by members of the Northern Star editorial board.