Each year the Editorial Board of The State Hornet interviews candidates for ASI Executive positions and then gives endorsements based on those interviews. Choosing to endorse one candidate over another is certainly a difficult task?one made harder by the abundance of outstanding candidates in this year?s electoral pool?but we believe that it is necessary for the campus?s only student voice to speak up about the election and make suggestions to the many undecided voters on campus.

Endorsements are based on a questionnaire answered by the candidates and the interview with the Editorial Board. Due to the sheer number of candidates this year (44 to be exact), our endorsements are limited to executive positions.

This year?s election will be different than those in years past. For one, there is no candidate running unopposed?for either the ASI Board of Directors or for the executive positions. Secondly, there are three very strong and organized slates vying for student support. And third, most of the candidates are highly qualified for the positions they are running for.

Seeing so many people interested in holding ASI office is certainly a breath of fresh air and hopefully will lead to even more involvement next year. It is now up to the students to make the right decision and vote.

It must also be noted that several candidates have ties to The State Hornet. Shara Perkins is a current member of State Hornet Publications Board; Joe Devlin is a former reporter and David Sommers is a former editor-in-chief. In no way did their ties to the Hornet influence the Editorial Board?s decisions.

Endorsements

President:

In endorsing Hans Weichhart for ASI President, we had to choose between three outstanding candidates?Weichhart, Joe Devlin and Art Pimentel. But what separated Weichhart from the other candidates was his unusual candor and outgoing personality?a nice change from the laid-back attitude of past ASI presidents.

Weichhart has shown his ability for organization as the head of the well-run Support US slate and as a Theatre Arts major he would bring a new perspective on the campus and its students to the ASI board.

Weichhart?s number one goal as president would be to “give ASI back to the student body,” by restoring its role as a student advocacy group. Weichhart would also like to see ASI open a Greek Access Center in the University Union.

The other two candidates for the position are well qualified and would make fine presidents, but we feel that Weichhart has the most to offer to ASI and the student body at large.

Executive Vice President:

Shara Perkins has the outgoing personality, tough demeanor, and right ideas that it takes to be a successful executive vice president. Additionally, as a freshman orientation leader she has demonstrated a commitment to the campus as a whole?not just a select group.

Among the many ideas that Perkins would bring into the position is an ASI Week of Introduction, where students would be able to become aquainted with their representatives and possibly get involved as members of the various committees that ASI has problems filling. She would also like to see ASI board members spend office hours outside of their offices in places where students congregate.

Perkins, who is a member of the Support US slate, would also like to see a Greek Access Center and a revamping of the Saclink system to increase access to the Internet for students. We feel that if Perkins were elected, she would bring the right amount of experience and ideas to the ASI executive board.

Vice President of Finance:

The State Hornet chose to endorse Tom Hughes for several reasons, but the most important is his desire to open up the budget process to the students. Hughes would like to see ASI submit a line-item budget to the public, much different than the three pages currently distributed.

As a member of this year?s Finance and Budget Committee he also has the experience that a vice president of Finance should have. He also was witness to a highly secretive budgeting process that leaves the students in the dark about where and how their ASI fees are spent. In addition to his ASI experience, Hughes was also a residential advisor in the dorms. This experience leaves him with the knowledge of how ASI works and the needs and concerns of everyday students.

Hughes would also like to see more student involvement in ASI, including allowing more student input into the budget process.

Vice President of University Affairs:

The Vice President of University Affairs is the main connection between ASI and University administration. The very nature of the position requires very close contact with students and administration, and that is why we chose to endorse David Sommers.

As a former State Hornet editor-in-chief and a current employee in the Office of Public Affairs, Sommers has the experience?and connections?that are necessary in this utterly vital position. Sommers? political acumen and superb speaking skills will be needed in ASI next year. His main opponent, Kevin Greene, has a lot to offer to ASI, but lacks the experience and connections that Sommers has.

Editors note: Calvin Davis is also running for this position. He missed the deadline to submit a questionnaire to the Hornet and also did not show up for his scheduled interview. Additionally, Davis left his position as Director of Social Science before the end of his term. We feel that his lack of commitment to ASI and to the position he is running for reflects very poorly upon his candidacy.