Associated Students, Inc. assembled an Ad-Hoc committee to study supposed disadvantages with the current “slate” elections.

The slate format, according to Postbaccalaureate Director Mohamed Hamada, has contributed to the lack of independent student involvement and has resulted in the failure of these students to claim office.

“Many students feel they don’t have a chance to win without participating in a slate,” said Hamada. “This greatly decreases the amount of students running for office.”

According to an ASI survey of 90 Sacramento State students, 75 percent said the slate system is unfair, while 73.6 percent said they would support ASI taking measures to balance independent students running against slates.

The committee highlighted two options that they felt would be most productive if implemented.

The first option involves Lobby Corps taking responsibility for all promotional items for candidates, thus creating an equal amount of publicity for all parties involved.

While Lobby Corps will have ultimate jurisdiction on the production of these materials, candidates will have more freedom with fliers.

“If we create the fliers, candidates will not have the chance to react to statements from the opposition,” said Hamada. “Candidates can create their own with the approval of Lobby Corps.”

Executive candidates would receive $100 for fliers and board member candidates would get $50.

ASI would allocate approximately $5,000 for promotional supplies such as buttons, pens, or shirts, and only one person’s name could appear on any of the items.

The second option involves the creation of a sliding scale for spending limits.

According to Hamada, if a slate consisted of one candidate they would receive 100 percent of the spending limit. With the addition of every member, the amount would decrease 3percent. The maximum amount of people allowed in a slate is 15 and they would draw 58 percent of the limit.

ASI would also allot $1,000 to match funds for independents. ASI created these options after conducting research that included surveys of Sac State students, students from other California State Universities and Universities of California, and input from previous ASI candidates.

Former Sac State student and ASI candidate Shaun Lumachi disagrees with the negative aspect of slates, stating that they promote shared resources.

“Students will pay more and spend more time out of class if they cannot depend on others for help in their election,” Lumachi said.

The committee is comprised of Chair Nanette Fang, Mohamed Hamada, Rita Tyk, Jennifer Estrada, Stephanie McGee, former ASI VP of Finance Devin Cook, Adnan Kussair, Executive VP Luke Wood, Natural Science and Math Director Lorraine Armijos, Christina Rapada, and former ASI Director of Social Science and Interdisciplinary Studies Joe Devlin.

ASI board of directors will vote on the proposals today at 1:30 in the University Union Foothill Suite.