UA and Coalition fling a little mud in 'dirty' race

Members of the Undergraduate Assembly and the Coalition for Responsive Student Government said last week that a recent rash of "dirty campaigning" has prevented students from focusing on the issues for today's elections. And both incumbent candidates from the UA and Coalition hopefuls have accused each other of getting "desperate" and "scared" in their campaigning procedures. "A lot of people, especially lesser known people in the Coalition, are getting desperate," said one UA member who asked to remain anonymous because of a Nominations and Elections Committee rule that prohibits UA candidates from talking about the elections to the press. "Some of the incumbents are getting desperate, too." "Nobody knows what's going to happen," he said last night. "This uncertainty has caused people to make personal attacks and stray away from the issues." One UA member up for re-election said she has seen "numerous violations" of the University's poster policy committed by the Coalition. "If people are going to run for student government they should be honest enough to post posters the right way," she said. Posters have been improperly placed throughout the Quadrangle, she added. NEC rules restrict candidates from putting posters in a number of places, including the area near elevators. But Coalition President Darion D'Anjou said last week that UA incumbents are the ones concerned about being challenged by his group. "This is a movement that makes them [current UA members] get up off their ass," the Wharton junior said. "Their positions are not guaranteed and that makes them nervous. There are a lot of people who are just plain scared." D'Anjou said the Coalition will be running 20 of the total 55 candidates. He also said some UA incumbents have complained to the NEC about the Coalition's postering practices. Michael Monson, NEC elections chairperson, confirmed that candidates have not adhered to all of the campaign's rules. "A lot of people have been violating the regulations," Monson, a College junior. But one UA member said last night that the both the NEC's regulations and outrageous campaign promises have hurt the election. "The poster policy sucks," he said. "And nearly everyone makes ridiculous promises which will never be kept. It's a pity that students don't have any idea who they're voting for." He added that the election will be competitive, saying that he's not sure about his prospects. "I know I deserve to be re-elected, but I know there is a chance that I will not," he said. "If so, I will not be heart-broken." Elections will be held today and tomorrow. Polling locations include Stouffer Dining Commons, Class of 1920 Commons, Hill Dining, and Steinberg Dietrich Hall.

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