Run-off on Friday

By Melissa Walker

Ass't News Editor

Yesterday's freshmen class elections, a race touting many more candidates than in years passed, yielded mixed results. A run-off will be held for the position of president between James Goodnow and Emily Moody on Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Plaza.

Other freshmen positions were decided by the 293 freshmen who voted. Vice President is Will Senn, Activities Vice President is Rachelle Colquhoun and Treasurer is Sarah Jones. The freshman class senate positions will be filled by Justin Buell, Joahn Fauchier, Mitch Keamy, Michael McCord and Lindsay Ward.

This year six freshmen competed for class president, a surprising but welcome number for ASSCU representatives.

"This class has a lot of enthusiasm," ASSCU Vice President Shawna O'Day said.ASSCU Development Vice President Eugene Francisco agreed.

"There are a lot of turbo freshmen out there, you can tell they want to be involved with student government," Francisco said.

Student government staffers have been working hard to increase interest in running for class office, especially in this year's incoming freshmen. ASSCU representatives spread interest during summer orientation sessions and the freshmen welcome weekend by talking to incoming students and making them aware of student government opportunities.

"We also e-mailed students that expressed interest in student government," Francisco said.From the turnout at the student government information nights and the large number of students running, the efforts of ASSCU have been a success.

"I think this year is a combination of advertising and the class' enthusiasm," O'Day said. "They are receiving the message that involvement in college is key to success."

Getting involved isn't difficult - any freshman was eligible for class office. To run, students attended a mandatory information night, read the class election codes and collected 100 signatures. Since it's so easy to become involved in student government, some shy away in fear that it's only a popularity contest.

Both Francisco and O'Day believe this is not the case with Santa Clara class elections."They are representing a lot more people than in high school," O'Day said. "It's challenging, they are working with administration and students."

On Tuesday night, administration and students had an opportunity to "Meet the Candidates." In previous years Meet the Candidates has been rather unsuccessful in drawing student attendance, and despite extensive advertising and a location change, a low percentage of the freshman class attended the event. Approximately 50 people were present.

"It's an opportunity for the members of the constituency to get to know each other," Francisco said. "In the past it's been in Market Square but it was moved to eleventh floor Swig so we could get more involvement."

The meeting allowed each candidate to speak for two minutes in order for voters to know what issues are important them.

"It's a chance to find out how people perceive their role, how they will shape the class," O'Day said.