Freshmen commence fall campaigns

While Democrats and Republicans are campaigning for the upcoming presidential elections, Penn freshmen will be starting campaigns of their own.

A candidates’ meeting on Tuesday night marked the official start of new student elections for the 2015 Class Board and open spots in the Undergraduate Assembly.

Thirty-six freshmen are vying for 10 positions on the 2015 Class Board and 24 students will compete for eight seats in the UA. Both freshmen and transfer students are eligible to run for the UA.

A total of 54 students are running, of which six are candidates for both the Class Board and the UA, according to the Nominations and Elections Committee. This marks a slight decrease from the 55 students who ran last year.

Multiple candidates are running for positions on the Class Board, with the exception of the Nursing class chair candidate who is uncontested.

While student groups are allowed to start endorsing candidates immediately, the candidates must refrain from spending money on their campaign until 7 a.m. on Friday.

During Tuesday’s briefing, NEC Vice Chairwoman Ariela Cohen outlined the campaigning rules and responded to candidates’ concerns.

Cohen stressed the idea of substantive campaigning and urged candidates “to actually go out there and talk to [voters]”. She encouraged candidates to use the Midnight Breakfast event on Sunday, which will be organized by the NEC, to reach out to incoming students since “about 600 freshmen will be there.”

Breakfast food will be served from 10 p.m. until midnight in Houston Hall. Candidates’ statements will be on display at the event.

College senior and Social Planning and Events Committee President Shana Rusonis was also at the meeting and advised candidates to attend the Fall Fest celebration on Saturday. “It’s a great way to get to know your constituency,” Rusonis said.

Online voting for new student elections begins at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 26 at pennstudgov.com. Only incoming students may vote.

Voting will end at 5 p.m. on Sept. 30th. Election results will then be declared the same day, unless Fair Practice Code violations are filed, in which case hearings will be held on Oct. 2nd.

“Last year we ended up with a 56-percent [voter] turnout and we definitely want to beat it this year,” Cohen said.

A group of freshmen that met at Pennacle, a freshman leadership pre-orientation program, are unofficially running together for UA positions. They call themselves the “Dream Team.”

“We’re actually more powerful as a group,” said College freshman and Dream Team member Danielle Golub.

This article has been updated from its original version to reflect the final number of candidates.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.