Controversy swirled around an ASI slate campaign event Thursday when free food was given away and Herky, the campus mascot, was present.

Home Team slate presidential candidate Brandon Kline was accused by Unity slate presidential candidate Peter Ucovich of bribing people to vote for him by giving free food and ice cream away to students who intended to vote for Kline.

“If you’re going to give out food, you’re going to have to give it to everyone. I was utterly surprised,” Ucovich said.

Ucovich has not formally lodged a complaint with the Election Complaint Committee.

Kline said his slate does not have the money the Unity slate has.

“We’re doing everything we can to run a smarter campaign,” Kline said. He said the event was a way for the Home Team to get their word out and said it was a way to provide dialogue.

Disco Dogs owner Torrance Wade donated the hot dogs, dubbed “Kline Dogs.”

“I’ll do equally for everyone (candidates),” Wade said. Wade said he would do what he could for those who can do the most for the students, and all the candidates need to do is ask him.

Leatherby’s Family Creamery also gave out free ice cream to students, and Herky made an appearance for the Home Team slate.

“It would probably be a violation of the campaign rules,” said Vision 2003 presidential slate candidate Mohamed Hamada . “It isn’t going to help his chances…’have a free ice cream, vote for me.'”

Leatherby’s made the ice cream donation, and the use of Herky was approved by the athletics department, Kline said.

“It is campus policy for Herky to be at any campus pep rally for spirit, and Brandon said it was going to be a pep rally. It is not our policy to endorse a candidate,” said Assistant Marketing/Promotions Director Robert Rasmussen of the athletics department.

Kline said he meant for the event to be a pep rally, and a second one is scheduled soon.

Rassmussen said there were probably two different operating definitions of the term “pep rally.”

It is unclear whether or not Herky will be present the next Home Team event.

Marketing/Promotions Director, Damon Dukakis, was not aware of the costume being used and said he would look into the matter.

If there are allegations of campaign wrongdoing leveled in any campaign, students and candidates can file a grievance with the Election Complaint Committee, and they will look into the matter after the elections.

The ASI elections are April 29-30.