Eleven students announced their candidacies for Student Government executive positions at a nominating convention Sunday. The Board of Elections requires 100 signatures on nominating petitions for candidates to run. Campaigning for the Feb. 26-28 elections began immediately after the convention.
The following students (in alphabetical order) are running for president:
Joe Gallina, a senior who represents the School of Public Affairs in the General Assembly, is chair of the SC's committee on finance.
"I am running to hold the administration accountable for what they do and how they do it, how much money they spend, and where they spend it," Gallina said. "We shouldn't settle for anything less."
He said he wants to make sure students are aware of changes the administration makes, like the eradication of local phone lines in dorms, or the decision to spend money carpeting Bender Library when some might prefer the funds be spent on new books.
James Gardner, a junior in SPA, is director of the Student Advocacy Center, a cabinet department under the SC president, Polson Kanneth.
"I hope [students] see [my campaign] as pragmatic," Gardner said. "It's practical, it's something that can be achieved."
Gardner said his priorities are to expand the versatility of EagleBuck$ at local vendors, to be more aggressive in getting talent for shows and speakers, and to take an active role in coordinating community service.
Nick Johnson, a Class of 2006 representative in the GA, serves on the Committee on Government Operations and the Academic Review Committee.
"Through communication and accountability, that's how we'll be able to put students first," he said.
Johnson plans to focus on expanding Bender Library, making the shuttle service safer and more reliable, and improving the quality of campus food services.
Kyle Taylor, a junior in the Kogod School of Business and the School of International Service, served as vice president for half of last year after Marguerite Meyer became ineligible to serve due to credit reasons.
"My main objective is to get students involved in the [student government] process and to use what we already have and strengthen that," he said.
Taylor said he hopes to enhance communication between students and the administration, increase the student voice and ensure every Judicial Affairs hearing involves student representatives.
The following students are running for vice president:
Leah Kremer, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, is president of the Jewish Student Association.
Jordan Landry, a junior in SPA, was appointed by current Secretary Jamie Rea as director of the office of archives and is helping Vice President Jason Trombley plan the Founder's Day Ball, which will be held next weekend in Dupont Circle.
Adam Rosenblatt, a sophomore and chair of the Academic Review Committee, represents SPA in the GA.
The following are candidates for comptroller:
Ali Khan, a junior in Kogod is current associate comptroller.
Amy Klinger, a junior in CAS and Kogod, is majoring in math and business administration.
Zach Ulrich, a sophomore in Kogod and SIS, served as associate comptroller before Khan. He represents off-campus students and serves on the Committee on Government Operations and the University Budget Review Committee in the GA.
Kevin Gilnack, a junior in SPA, will run unopposed for secretary. He was appointed to Class of 2006 representative a few weeks ago to fill a position left open by an earlier resignation.
Freshman Josh Goodman attempted to run for president but did not have the 45 credits required. The GA can grant a credit waver by a 2/3 vote allowing a candidate to run, but did not do so for Goodman.
The body granted a waiver to Kyle Taylor, who has more than the maximum 91 credits allowed in the constitution.
The constitution also stipulates that candidates for executive office must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and be in good disciplinary standing.
