Greasing palms of frosh candidates

The Class of 2004 flocked to Houston Hall last night for free food, live entertainment and a chance to meet their student government candidates. With polls opening today for freshman elections, a midnight breakfast was sponsored and organized by the Nominations and Elections Committee in conjunction with the Freshman Class Board and Undergraduate Assembly elections. Polls can be accessed online until October 10. This year, 36 candidates are running for eight freshman spots on the UA. For Freshman Class Boards, nine students are running for president, three for vice president, three for secretary and one for treasurer. About 100 freshmen got to meet the candidates while enjoying a bagel and dessert buffet and listening to the tunes of one of Penn's a cappella groups, Off the Beat. The is the first time the NEC has coordinated such an event -- organizers said they decided to try it to drum up more votes. "We used to just have speeches and we never had good turnouts," said College sophomore Rebecca Silberman, a NEC member and the event's coordinator. "The speeches don't really work and we think this will draw a large crowd." "It's a good way for them to meet the candidates they are actually going to be voting for," Silberman added. NEC Vice Chairwoman of Elections Anne Hankey noted, "They don't really know everybody by name yet and this allows them to get acquainted with their class." And NEC Chairman Nick Goad said, "It's a great way to increase voter turnout, and even freshmen who didn't come tonight are aware that elections are tomorrow because it was very well publicized." Silberman said the event was a way to bring the freshmen together. "By getting freshmen involved now it will create a trend of getting them involved for the next three years," Silberman said. In attendance were most of the candidates, as well as a large crowd of freshmen. The heavy rain may have dulled attendance somewhat, organizers said. The candidates used the event to get the word out about their campaigns and meet their fellow classmates. "We feel that if we have a chance to talk to students and mingle with them then we have a better chance of getting their vote," College freshman Taivon McKinney said. College freshman Jason Lewis said, "It's very important for the voters to know who we are and that we are more than just a name you can click on with your mouse." "You can get a more accurate representation of what the class actually wants when a large number of people vote, and the people who really care about voting are here tonight," College freshman Rea Harrison said. NEC coordinators said they were pleased with the event. "I think the freshmen are really trying to interact and that's what our aim was," Silberman said.