Fewer freshmen run for student government

The annual ritual of freshmen elections began yesterday as students gathered at the Office of Student Life to formally declare their candidacy.

Freshmen from all four undergraduate schools are represented with 23 students from the College, 20 from Wharton, eight from Engineering and one from Nursing.

52 freshmen are running for 64 positions - some are running for multiple seats - which is down from last year, when 67 people ran 74 positions.

"The NEC and I have complete faith that the freshmen running for UA and Class Boards are well-informed, dedicated candidates who are eager to serve their constituents," said Nominations and Elections Committee chairwoman and College junior Brittany Stark. "The quality of candidates has met our high expectations yet again."

A majority of freshmen were running to fill one of the eight spots open to freshmen on the UA, with 35 freshmen running for a UA seat and 29 contesting for one of the 10 Class Board positions (President, Vice President, Vice President of Corporate Sponsorship, Treasurer, Secretary, two School of Arts and Sciences representatives, and one representative each from Wharton, Engineering and Nursing.).

In 2006 and 2007, 41 people ran for Class Board positions but the number of UA candidates was comparable.

"I think it's important for women and minorities to be represented in student government," said College freshman Amanda Young of her candidacy. She is running for UA and SAS representative, while College freshman and UA candidate Julie Hoang wanted to further the interests of international students.

College freshman Victor Galli, running for UA, said he is running on a platform of sustainability, while Wharton freshman Paul Lyandres, who is also running for UA, said he wants to "get every student their own personal golf cart."

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