For those unfamiliar with the excitement, drama, and tension surrounding the IU Student Association elections: They're back. Wednesday's 5 p.m. deadline to file with the IUSA elections commission came and went with five tickets registering with the hopeful goal of taking the reins from the current Crimson administration. \nThe parties that have submitted their applications to be in the elections, which will be held Feb. 22 and 23, are College, Connect, Kirkwood, Vote for Pedro and What about Bobby. \nStudents can expect a wide range of campaign promises from the five tickets.
COLLEGE TICKET\nThe college ticket is looking to improve the IU experience by simplifying its platform into three categories, said College Presidential Candidate Shane Merriweather. \n"We are using a thematic approach of beer, books and basketball," he said. "Our name is derived from the movie "Animal House," and we know that partying is part of the social experience. We want to work with the IFC, fraternity houses, and we want look at the student code to prevent students from being severely punished for drinking."\nMerriweather made it apparent that the ticket's goals go past the social aspects of college.\n"We want to work with the president and the chancellor to boost IU's ranking in the U.S. News and World Report rankings to benefit both alumni and students," Merriweather said. "We want to enhance our sports community. We want to create a tailgating experience that is seen at southern football schools." \nMerriweather will be accompanied by his Vice President of the Student Body William Lumpkin, Vice President of Congress Mike Psaltis and Treasurer Lauren Harker.
CONNECT TICKET\nConnect Presidential Candidate John Palmer and his executives want to make the student voice even more pronounced.\n"(We want to) institutionalize Student Advisory Councils, implant student committees at all levels and departments of administration, including the Bursar, Registrar, and Admissions, to ensure that your dollar goes where you want it to, and that university officials hear the student voice more effectively," Palmer said. "Everyone is upset with Onestart, their Bursar bills, tuition hikes; it's time to hold the university accountable." \nConnect's executives include Vice President of Finance Victor Grossi, Vice President of Administration Ami Holthouse and Vice President of Operations Charles Benson.
KIRKWOOD TICKET\nKirkwood Presidential Candidate Bryan Strawbridge said students not seeing enough done by the administration should consider voting for an IUSA administration that will enact change for the benefit of IU's students.\n"It's time for the students to start demanding more from our university," Strawbridge said in a statement announcing his party's candidacy. "Ineffective and passive attitudes of the current administration as well as ones before us have left us all no better than we were before. Instead we're stepping up and saying we deserve more, we can do better, and we support a change."\nExecutives running on the Kirkwood ticket are Vice President of Administration Jim Hoff, Vice President of Congress John Connell and Treasurer Ashley Crouse.
VOTE FOR PEDRO TICKET\nThe thought of students being caught by police while they are out on a night of drinking and partying is a big concern for Vote for Pedro, said presidential hopeful Alexander Shortle.\n"Let's end en loco parentis," he said. "We must educate the student body on what exactly is probable cause, so that they understand their right to party. We will work with the city to implement set objective measures to limit the sometimes abused judgment calls that police make regarding public intox and probable cause."\nShortle will be joined by Vice Presidential Candidate Bill Leckey, Congressional Secretary Courtney Thom, and Treasurer Amanda Spivey.
WHAT ABOUT BOBBY TICKET\n"The General" and beer is on the minds of these future student leaders.\nWhat about Bobby, paying tribute to former IU basketball coach Bobby Knight, looks to get new and exciting services for students. Some of the goals the party is looking to accomplish is implementing a fall break, increasing the print quota and implementing a discount parking permit for students choosing to park in the on campus garages, said Presidential Candidate Eric Wolok.\nWolok gave no specific means on accomplishing his party goals.\n"How will we accomplish our goals? Just wait and see," he said.\nExecutives running alongside Wolok are Vice President Chris West, Secretary Liz Kabella and Treasurer Jamie Sistino.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Eric Tash at etash@indiana.edu
