By Paul A. Anthony, Editor in Chief
The four candidates for executive president attempted to clarify their differences and win the votes of the student body the day before and day of the elections, which continue today.
In campaign speeches Tuesday, the candidates shied away from promising a specific platform, instead emphasizing their wishes to increase communication between the students and administration.
“I don’t believe SA truly represents this campus,” said Erin Baldwin, currently junior class senator, adding that she would work for better representation to the university administration. “Communication on this campus frankly stinks.”
Shep Strong, junior class senator, echoed those feelings.
“The issue is communication,” Strong said, promising to spearhead a larger SATV network and better lighting on the south side of campus.
Hemness and Wilkerson took different tacks with their speeches. Hemness said he would not promise anything and rarely spoke about himself: “You’ll get a president that will work for the students and be a light on this campus.”
Wilkerson commissioned Shades step group to perform for most of his allotted three minutes, using it to say he would get things done-like letting the group perform again in Chapel.
The speeches, allowed only after a compromise in which the class chaplains gave up the final class Chapel of the year to have campaign speeches instead, followed Monday night’s debate between the candidates.
All four candidates have stated support for the shift of SA away from activities and toward advocacy. All have expressed dissatisfaction with the removal of committees from under the SA umbrella. And all have said they will fight for greater representation on administrative boards and committees.
The vice presidential candidates-Administration Building representative Reese Campbell and Spiritual Life committee co-chair Layne Rouse-also spoke and debated.
Rouse in his speech told students that they faced a crisis of choice, where SA had the opportunity to move in a positive direction. However, he did not say voting for him would be the right choice to make
Campbell said he wanted to see SA “do something big with money for a change,” but did not give specifics as to what could be done with it.
Voting continues in the Campus Center Wednesday afternoon. If none of the candidates receives 50 percent of the vote, a separate runoff will be held between the top two vote-getters Thursday.
