Correction: The infobox incorrectly dated the MSU Board of Trustees forum. It should have said the event would take place Wednesday, Oct. 18.

MSU Board of Trustees member Dee Cook was prepared to debate against the other eight board candidates Thursday, but the debate never took place.

"I was notified late Monday that we would not be debating," Cook said.

The debate was canceled last week after Democratic board candidate Faylene Owen decided not to participate, Cook said. Republican Dee Cook, who is seeking a third eight-year term, is upset about Owen's decision. Cook accused both Democratic challengers, Owen and George Perles, of hiding.

"They don't want to participate because they don't want their records to become public," Cook said. "(Republican incumbent David Porteous and I) made ourselves available and are ready to have a discussion about issues."

But Perles said Tuesday afternoon he's not hiding from anything and is more than willing to participate in a debate, as long as it's handled correctly.

"I certainly would be (interested in participating) if all candidates were involved," Perles said. "I sure would be interested."

The State News contacted Owen on Tuesday afternoon and she said she would comment later in the day on the debate. However, repeated calls Tuesday night were unreturned.

There are nine candidates running for two opening seats on the board. Of the candidates, there are two Republicans, two Democrats, one Green Party member, one U.S. Taxpayer Party member, two Libertarians and one National Liberal Party member.

Cook said she and Porteous provided at least 12 dates of availability to WKAR television studios for a debate, but they are left waiting for it to be rescheduled.

"It sounds to me like somebody is hiding something," she said. "This is a university where issues are important. You are telling me these people are not available to discuss issues related to the university in the entire election cycle? I just think somebody's hiding."

Republican Trustee Melanie Foster said debates are an important part of the election process.

Foster was elected in November 2004 and said she welcomed a debate before the election.

"I asked for a debate on campus, and they never gave me one," Foster said Tuesday. "I would have been happy to go toe-to-toe with my opponent.

"It's outrageous — cowardly and outrageous," Foster added. "This is a very important elected position, and unfortunately, it's an obscure race overshadowed by other bigger issues. It's difficult for the community to get to know the candidates because they are overshadowed."

Despite the debate conflict, both Cook and Perles agree on at least one issue: Tuition at MSU must be controlled.

"The biggest challenge is keeping these tuition rates down," Perles said. "In the past 10 years, they've gone up 62 percent. At that rate, only the wealthy will be able to go to school. The working family kids won't have the opportunity."

Cook agreed, saying that funding is an important part of keeping tuition rates down at MSU.

"We have to continue efforts to be sure Michigan State can receive the proper funding," she said.

Kristyn Peterson is a State News staff writer and can be reached at peter560@msu.edu.