UMC elections postponed after low turnout

In what was to be their last official meeting of the school year, members of the United Minorities Council's 10 constituent groups gathered last night at the Greenfield Intercultural Center to elect the remainder of next year's UMC executive board. But elections were postponed because a majority of the candidates, nominated by their organizations, were not present to give speeches or answer UMC members' questions. Wharton sophomore and Six Directions representative Mary Mt. Pleasant raised concern about the qualifications and dedication of the candidates and wanted to hear from each of them personally before making a decision. As a result, nominations will remain open until midnight next Tuesday, April 12, current UMC Chairperson and College senior Jun Bang said. Elections are rescheduled for 8:30 p.m. the following evening, Wednesday, April 13, at the GIC. To avoid the problems encountered last night with the absence of candidates' position statements and programming ideas, any nominated candidate who intends to run for a position, but cannot attend elections, must call Bang to obtain an excuse before Tuesday, she said. These candidates must also submit written statements to Bang at the same time, in place of the speeches each would have given. Bang added that in past years, there has not been such intense interest in the elected positions on the UMC, so the absence of a few candidates has not precluded elections from taking place. However, since the UMC's name recognition has grown so much recently, people are more interested in being involved and participating in its activities, Bang said. The positions available on the UMC board include treasurer, corresponding secretary and recording secretary. Spots are also open for Celebration of Culture, Admissions and Program Chairpersons, and for Social Planning and Events Committee, Connaissance and Houston Hall representatives. College junior Liz Melendez was selected UMC chairperson-elect and Wharton junior Jenny Ho was chosen UMC vice chairperson-elect at another President's Meeting held last month. Before elections began last night, UMC members ratified revisions made to the group's constitution this year with a unanimous vote.

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