Only one presidential slate was nominated Monday night during the Student Government Association's 2005 Spring Nomination Convention, but that won't stop the four members of Team Us from devoting themselves wholeheartedly to the election, the campaign manager, said.
"We're going to run as if we're running against somebody," Andrew Greider said. "I chose to work with these people because they are four of the most dynamic leaders on campus. I hope this will be the most successful SGA slate ever."
SGA's most recent uncontested slate was the Tommy Rector slate, which ran unopposed in spring 2001 for the 2001-2002 school year, Ben Tietz, SGA president, said.
This year's open campaigning officially began Monday after the nomination convention. Sophomore Steve Geraci, the current president pro tempore for Student Senate, was nominated for president of Team Us. Geraci is a political science major with minors in sociology, philosophy and history.
For vice president, Greider nominated junior Chris Kurtz, who double majors in political science and criminal justice and minors in sociology. Senior Kari Jones, nominated for secretary, is a communication studies major with minors in organizational communication, political science, religious studies and hospitality management. Junior Mike Gallion, nominated for treasurer, majors in business administration.
A presidential and vice presidential debate was scheduled for Thursday, with a slate debate scheduled for Feb. 24. However, because Team Us will run unopposed, neither debate is necessary, Beth Harsany, elections board chairwoman, said.
"We have enough nominations to fill the vacant seats, so it's not necessary to have a race," Harsany said. "It's a little bit unusual, but even though the candidates weren't contested, I hope they bring some excitement to SGA that a tight race would bring."
Harsany said seats are still available for late nominations in individual categories including University Senate, Judicial Court and Student Senate, which consists of on-campus seats, off-campus seats and at-large seats. Students can pick up nomination packets from the SGA office in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center. Late nominations will run until Monday.
Tietz said he decided not to run with a presidential slate this year because he has been deeply involved with leadership since his sophomore year and wanted to take a break.
"Being student body president is a full-time job, and I thought it'd be best in the coming year to take time for myself -- take time to decide what I want to do after graduation, take time to enjoy my friends, to be a college student," he said.
To remain involved in government, however, Tietz said he has accepted a nomination for a University Senate undergraduate seat.
"I understand how the system works, and it will be less taxing," he said. "While I won't be student body president, I still want to watch out for the needs of students."
As a firm believer in the democratic process, Geraci said it is unfortunate Team Us is the only presidential slate to run this year, but it will remain dedicated to the needs of the Ball State community, he said.
Geraci said Team Us will be effective because its members represent various areas of study and have six years of combined SGA experience.
"We know what works and what doesn't work in SGA," Geraci said. "We want to fix problems and capitalize on our abilities in order to accomplish what we feel are realistic goals."
He said Team Us" has been in planning since December and has a plan of action for each of its platforms, which will be detailed at www.teamus.us. The slate's primary goal is to relate to Ball State students and to make everyday life better for them, Geraci said.
"SGA tends to take itself way too seriously," he said. "Our campaign is trying to relate to students because we are no better than they are -- we're just ready to lead them."
Team Us is also concerned about helping the greek community, he said.
"We want to use SGA's power and influence to help them regain control of their system," Geraci said. "Of course we're also concerned with promoting diversity, community relations, improving on- and off-campus life and providing student services."
Geraci said he knew he wanted to run for president this year after he won the pro tempore election in the fall. He is pleased that getting involved in government will give him the ability to make a difference, he said.
"Involving yourself with the way campus actually works is thrilling, and it's led me to what I believe will be a life filled with civil service."
Tietz hopes this year's newly elected presidential slate will make Ball State students its constant priority, he said.
"I really hope it looks out for the best interests of the students," Tietz said.
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