Spring Break
USG campaign policy changes confuse candidates
Katherine Smith
Issue date: 4/15/09 Section: News
As the semester comes rapidly to a close, campaigns for Undergraduate Student Government positions are well underway and many seats have being fiercely fought over. This year, however, candidates have the added stress of ever changing campaign policies to worry about. Particularly restrictive campaigning policies have left many candidates concerned about disqualification due to an infraction of policy.
"Campaign policy needs to be more clear, I'm not sure about it and I don't want to be disqualified," said current Shippee senator and Multicultural and Diversity senator candidate Wonchi Ju. "I've been staying safe. I'm just not sure. I'm a little hesitant about doing certain things."
Currently, candidates are prohibited from campaigning in the Student Union and the Undergraduate Student Government office. However, in contrast to last semester, candidates are allowed to canvass in residence halls - provided they obtain a pass and campaign only during certain hours. Candidates are also encouraged to attend club meetings and organizations to promote their campaigns.
Though restrictive, many useful and effective platforms have yet to be prohibited from use.
"My campaign is mostly on face because I feel that it's the most effective to reach out to the most people," Ju said. "I talk to people a lot when I go to class, and especially for getting signatures, that's a great way to start, just getting my name out there."
Some USG members feel as though the constructively-intended new policy has had a negative effect on student government at the university.
"I feel it has prevented many students from participating in the student election process," said Jason Ortiz, currently USG's comptroller and presidential candidate. Ortiz went on to say that the current campaign policies seems to be malicious and overly restrictive.
"There has been an deliberate intent to have our campaign disqualified through a campaign technicality. These actions have not only directly damaged our campaign, but make us very skeptical that the election process will proceed in a fair and open manner. These policies damaged the credibility of essential events like student elections," Ortiz said.
"Campaign policy needs to be more clear, I'm not sure about it and I don't want to be disqualified," said current Shippee senator and Multicultural and Diversity senator candidate Wonchi Ju. "I've been staying safe. I'm just not sure. I'm a little hesitant about doing certain things."
Currently, candidates are prohibited from campaigning in the Student Union and the Undergraduate Student Government office. However, in contrast to last semester, candidates are allowed to canvass in residence halls - provided they obtain a pass and campaign only during certain hours. Candidates are also encouraged to attend club meetings and organizations to promote their campaigns.
Though restrictive, many useful and effective platforms have yet to be prohibited from use.
"My campaign is mostly on face because I feel that it's the most effective to reach out to the most people," Ju said. "I talk to people a lot when I go to class, and especially for getting signatures, that's a great way to start, just getting my name out there."
Some USG members feel as though the constructively-intended new policy has had a negative effect on student government at the university.
"I feel it has prevented many students from participating in the student election process," said Jason Ortiz, currently USG's comptroller and presidential candidate. Ortiz went on to say that the current campaign policies seems to be malicious and overly restrictive.
"There has been an deliberate intent to have our campaign disqualified through a campaign technicality. These actions have not only directly damaged our campaign, but make us very skeptical that the election process will proceed in a fair and open manner. These policies damaged the credibility of essential events like student elections," Ortiz said.
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Daniel Cornelious
posted 4/16/09 @ 9:25 AM EST
I wonder when the changes in the election rules occured. I was the MCD Senator for the 2007-2008 academic year, and during the 2008 election cycle, there was an attempt to change the election rules during the campaign. (Continued…)
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