” This year’s Associated Student Government presidential elections are bound to be different as there is no eligible candidate running for the position. The vacancy of the out going President and Vice President positions leaves holes that no current member is able to fill, leaving Vice President of Student Affairs Denine Rocco and Dr.”
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This year’s Associated Student Government presidential elections are bound to be different as there is no eligible candidate running for the position.

The vacancy of the out going President and Vice President positions leaves holes that no current member is able to fill, leaving Vice President of Student Affairs Denine Rocco and Dr. Charles Fey to decide.

Fey and Rocco would normally pick the person they feel would be best suited for the job but in turn are offering student the chance to voice their opinion.

I have a philosophical problem with having the administrators of the university choosing the leaders for the student body, Fey said. That person needs to be independent of the university and to have us choose that person just doesn’t sit right with me.

With this unique situation, administration has decided to do away with the regular rules for a student to run for president and implement what they feel the student would need.

The qualifications to run for ASG president are not the ones being followed in this case, ASG President Kristen Bowman said.

The new requirements are simple; Be in good standing with The University of Akron, maintain a 2.3 grade point average throughout the term of office, have been enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student in both the Fall and Spring semesters, and attend both ASG summer retreats. The one stipulation is the student must have served some time in ASG during their undergraduate careers.

Any student wishing to put their name forward for consideration must write a 500 word essay answering the question, Why should you be appointed to the office of President of ASG and what would you like to accomplish on behalf of the student body if appointed?

They still want the student body to have an opinion on who should represent the student body, Bowman said.

With the qualifications laid out for students Rocco stated what she believes will qualify a student.

Someone who is really in it for the students, somebody who is going to be a strong voice for the students and who understands the issues.

Both Fey and Rocco said that this would not be a traditional election but more of students voicing their opinion so they can choose someone UA wants.

Will that be the determining factor? Certainly we’re not going to ignore that.

Rocco said that both Fey and herself would sit down and read the essays the student submits.

Students who will be putting their names forward will not be allowed to do any campaigning of sorts other than the essays that will be available in an insert both ASG and Student affairs purchased for Tuesday’s edition of the Buchtelite.

I don’t want see signs across the campus, flyers under the door, Fey said also noting any printed material such as buttons but not saying people cannot ask their friends to spread the word.

There will be no screening of the candidates other than making sure they meet the criteria established before the election.

Regardless of who applies, the administration is leaving the final vote up to University of Akron students.