Today and tomorrow, AU students will able to elect Student Government executives electronically through their my.american.edu portals. This election, there are only two contested executive races: secretary and president. The executive hopefuls made appearances before various campus groups over the weekend to try and win their endorsements.
As of print time on Sunday, Joe Vidulich (running for president) and Jeffrey Hanley (running uncontested for vice president) received endorsements from both the College Republicans and College Democrats.
The other contested position is for SG secretary, with candidates Alex Manzanares and Daiva MacKenzie running. The SG waived the 45-credit requirement for all SG executive positions to allow Manzanares to run, The Eagle previously reported. The College Democrats and College Republicans both endorsed Manzanares, and Queers and Allies endorsed only Manzanares out of all candidates running.
The SG also chose to waive the requirement that the comptroller completes certain finance courses prior to their term after David Teslicko promised he would enroll in those classes over the summer, The Eagle previously reported. The College Republicans and College Democrats both endorsed Teslicko.
BEN DWERTMAN
A junior in the School of International Service
Platform guarantees "student income and the militarization of American"
If elected SG president, would work for free and distribute his $10,000 SG president stipend evenly among students so each would receive about $1.70
Wants AU to join in GoogleApps program instead of using Lotus Notes for e-mail
Would militarize AU because of rumors Georgetown has created "Hoyas of Mass Destruction" that, as he states, "could be delivered via Metro and detonated in the heart of Mary Graydon Center within 45 minutes."
JOHN ERIC LINGAT
A junior transfer student in the College of Arts and Sciences
Secretary of Phi Kappa Alpha fraternity
Resident assistant in Letts Hall
Wants to bridge gaps by strengthening tradition
Wants to start new traditions and re-initiate old ones, such as a freshman beanie day
Platform based on student outreach
Wants to have a better recycling program in the dorms
Wants to refurbish library and dorm study spaces
JOE VIDULICH*
A junior in the School of Public Affairs
Blue Crew president; previously served as chair of the Judicial Board
Campaigns promises include ensuring a better quality of campus life and a better education
Wants to open a Women's Resource Center
Wants to expand the number of vendors accepting Eaglebucks
Advocates for better student lounges
Wants to work with Eco-Sense's Bikes and Biodiesel initiative
Hopes to "work with the Faculty Senate to end the bookstore's monopoly"
Wants to make all required textbooks available on reserve in the library
Hopes to change Eagle's Nest hours
JEFF HANLEY*
(UNCONTESTED)
A sophomore in the School of Public Affairs
President of Resident Hall Association
Running on a platform of centralizing programming funds
Hopes for greater co-sponsorship of major events such as Spring Fling
Wants to make textbooks more affordable
Wants to have every required text on reserve in the library
Wants the bookstore to release ISB numbers earlier so students can find the cheapest possibility
Wants to upgrade the SG Web site and have open houses for executive members
DAIVA MacKENZIE
A junior in the College of Arts and Sciences
The only female running for an executive position
Resident assistant in Anderson Hall
Secretary of AU's gospel choir, involved in Alpha Nu Omega
Wants to improve public relations on campus and in the surrounding community
Wants to improve communication between clubs and advocate for underrepresented groups in the AUCC
Wants to make the SG Web site easier to navigate
ALEX MANZANARES*
A freshman in the School of Communication
Involved in Office of Multicultural Affairs and the GLBTA Resource Center
Running on a platform with the acronym "E.A.S.Y.," which stands for Enthusiasm, Access, Structure, You
Wants the my.american.edu and ausg.org sites more accessible and easier to use
Wants to increase school pride through AU spirit days
Wants greater SG transparency and to provide public access to policies and senators' contact information
Wants to look into a Google partnership
Wants to make the SG Web site more interactive and have an anonymous wall discussion
Wants to boost ATV and electronic media
DAVID TESLICKO*
(UNCONTESTED)
A sophomore in the School of International Service
Has been AUTO commissioner for the past year-and-a-half
Plans to "review our programming and target the funds that we have toward programs that have been successful in the past and encourage further coordination to improve them while boosting turnout"
Wants to expand services such as a bike lease program and affordable student storage service
Wants to help reform the AUCC to make it clearer as to how money is allocated
Wants to bring clubs together so they are not competing against each other
Wants to make SG by-laws clearer
Wants to make SG executives more available and accountable
