Campus politics always take a few interesting turns this time of year?especially as the slates start the early competition for votes. Usually the slates are all set at this point and their campaigning efforts are kicking into high-gear. But, apparently VISION?s political tactics were too much for one of their candidates, Liz Markey, (candidate for Director of Business) who bolted for Joe Devlin?s Student First slate. Citing “compelling moral interests” in her departure from VISION, Markey?s change of heart is a huge loss for the slate. It really makes you wonder what?s going on inside the VISION slate to cause one of their candidates to jump ship. We?ll see if any more candidates decide to leave either of the slates to join Students First, a.k.a. Started Late?the third, and presumably last slate to join the race?and the slate that will win the award for best “No new fees” signs.

Judging by the obliteration of huge plywood campaign signs in the Library Quad, jockeying for the coveted Greek vote has officially begun. For the first time in as long as I can remember there is no clear Greek slate and it looks like a Sigma Chi member isn?t going to occupy the president?s office. That leaves the Greek vote wide open for the three slates to compete for their votes. And as long as one of the slates doesn?t add Georgette Todd to their list of candidates, I see the Greek vote as being split between the three.

Throughout my educational career I have received many compliments from professors and fellow students alike. (Don?t get me wrong, I?ve been criticized as well?but we?ll save that for another day). But the best compliment I have received came just the other day from a professor that I consider to be a mentor and others (my friend Tom) considers to be a hero. His compliment you may ask? “Wonnacott, you are one clever bastard.” For obvious reasons you can see why I can?t mention his name?we all know that Gerthie?s Gestapo will be at his office within moments of His Holiness? reading of this column. But trust me, this professor is a great asset to not only his department but to the University as a whole. Another issue regarding His Holiness: what does he have against student run radio station KSSU? The station currently has the wattage of a cell phone. Offices in the University Union have a difficult time picking up the signal from AM 1580. And according to one of the employees, its signal can only reach about a mile, but they have the ability to go further?only Gerth says no. Apparently, our humble president prefers the clucking and crowing of chickens to the voices and opinions of some of his 25,000 students.

A perfect description of his presidency.

Brendan D. Wonnacott is a Government & History major and is opinion editor of The State Hornet. He can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].