Technician News monday, february 4, 2009 • page 3

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Bascombe, Woodward involved in late violations continued from page 1

Elections commission chairman
Andrew Tucker said two candidates
for SG offices have been formally
cited for campaign violations as of
Monday night
Ty Johnson
News Editor
Even as students vote online for this
year’s Student Government candidates,
investigations and hearings are ongoing
into campaign violations committed by
candidates in the final weekend of cam-
paigning.
Monday night, elections commissions
chairman Andrew Tucker reported a
violation was formally filed against Kor-
nelius Bascombe, a candidate for student
body president, and another against Matt
Woodward, a candidate for Student Cen-
ters president.
Bascombe was notified for violating the
University’s e-mail policy Monday night,
but the candidate said he was acquitted of
the charge as it was once of his supporters
one had sent out a mass e-mail.
“I wasn’t found responsible for any of
it,” Bascombe said. “One of my supporters
sent out an e-mail without me knowing.
I advised him that he should have asked
before he sent the e-mail and he apolo-
gized for sending them out.”
Tucker also received an e-mail Monday
night related to Bascombe’s handbills be-
ing placed in a campus area, a possible
violation, but it hadn’t been formally filed
as of 11:35 p.m. The e-mail contained
photos of Bascombe’s handbills stacked
beside a computer.
“That hasn’t been filed against me so it’s
not a violation,” Bascombe said. “I hon- team. this instance,” Tucker said. curricular activities and service
estly feel like it’s not true. If you look at “I’ve filed no complaints and I’ve di- Woodward said while he was in- projects.  
the pictures, someone was logged into the rected no individuals to complain from formed of the campaign violations, “It is important that all stu-
computer. I’m thinking someone walked my campaign,” Ceresnak said. “Peter Tucker did not go into details about dents get an international expe-
away from their computer and then took [Barnes] is someone who has had a pe- them. rience,” Schmidt said.
pictures. I feel like they were set up for ripheral impact on the campaign, but he’s “He said he couldn’t [discuss specif- Schmidt also said the certifi-
the kill.” no more a part of my campaign than he ics,] but he said he tried to explain as cate not only benefits students
Bascombe said he couldn’t speak for all is of anyone in the senate.” best as he could,” Woodward said. directly involved with the pro-
of his supporters, but felt there was no Ceresnak said many candidates go to Woodward stressed that while two gram but will give advantages to
intent to violate campaign policies. Barnes for advice, but he was not directly violations had been formally filed the entire campus.
“I can’t really contain all of my sup- involved in his campaign. against him, his guilt in the matters “With this certificate, students
porters,” he said. “I wou ld will not be determined until a hearing. that do not get the chance to
“I think it was an
honest mistake.”
“Although there’s an not call Peter
[Barnes] an
“Although there’s an administrative
concern...they haven’t determined
travel abroad still get exposed
to different cultures through the
Bascombe also
voiced concern
administrative concern... official cam-
paign worker
guilt already, [the] data wont be pre-
sented until the hearing,” Woodward
presentations and projects com-
pleted by the students directly
that the photos
could have been
they haven’t determined of mine.”
Woodward’s
said. “We’ll be presenting all of [our
data] to the hearing on Wednesday.”
involved in the program,”  she
said.
a campaigning
tactic by one of
guilt already, [the] data violations,
which he was
Tucker said despite the recent con-
troversies, the campaigns had been
With more than 60 students al-
ready involved in the program,
his opponents. wont be presented until informed of relatively quiet as far as violations were Schmidt said she hopes to inspire
“I don’t know at 10:53 by e- concerned. any student that has an interest
if it’s valid be- the hearing.” mail, accord- “I’ve seen more destruction [of cam- in international affairs to get
c au s e of t he ing to Tucker, paign materials,] but it seems to be involved.  
simple fact that Matthew Woodward, were undue more third party destruction,” Tucker “Students interested in the
it wasn’t a formal freshman in applied sociology influence and said. “People are recognizing the rec- program on any level should go
complaint,” Bas- a violation of reational ability of campaign signs.” to the Web site to further explore
combe said. “We the Univer- Still the commission will take every the program and tools offered,”
don’t know if its staged or anything. Peter sity’s e-mail policy. violation seriously, Tucker said. she said.  
Barnes wrote the complaint and [he] is Woodward said he had no knowledge “A violation, even on election day, is Schmidt said she was excited
also a part of Jim Ceresnak’s campaign.” of a violation being committed. still valid,” he said. “We don’t name about the strength and chal-
Bascombe said there had been a trend of “[Tucker] said there were allegations a winner, we name a voting winner - lenges the program will be able
Ceresnak’s supporters complaining about concerning an anonymous e-mail sent [the decision] has to be solidified by to give students.
his campaign. about [one of my] opponent’s qualifica- the elections commission.” “It is personally rewarding
“There have been other complaints tions,” Woodward said. “I’ll look to see if Tucker said violation reports filed on when you take on the challenge
against me from Jim Ceresnak’s campaign there was any role to be played in it by my election day could greatly influence the of going to another country and
before,” Bascombe said. “I feel like I’m be- campaign or my supporters.” elections still. coming back to share your expe-
ing bamboozled into being the bad guy.” According to Tucker, undue influence “Violations through tomorrow are rience with your home campus,”
Ceresnak said he was not aware of any is “trying to make coercive statements to still valid and encouraged to be turned she said. “This program embod-
complaint or action by a member of his groups in order to influence votes.” in,” he said. ies the goals of challenging your-
campaign in the matter, and even said that “Ultimately it’s the duty of the elections self and going beyond what you
Barnes was not a member of his campaign commission to determine if it’s valid in would have otherwise.”

Student Government insiders have edge on other candidates

Taylor McCune have that Student Government experience, and the position in about 10 years. “Chapter seven is hard to read,” he said, explain-
Features Editor perhaps the support that comes with it. “It has turned into a ‘good ole boys’ club,” she ing that most people can’t wade through the legal
Rogers, Student Body President Jay Dawkins said, adding that males tend to appoint males, jargon.
Each year as student body elections come around, and Adam Compton, who ran for student body which has led to a lack of fresh blood in SG for Rogers said she would like to reduce some of the
students get to meet a new group of people who president in 2007 and held other SG positions, awhile. hurdles so more people would have and easier road
want to take leadership positions in Student Gov- all said being involved In addition to intra- to SG positions.
ernment. in SG or having expe- SG support, candidates “The application process for becoming a chair is
Some candidates are actually new — they decided rienced friends in SG “Someone from outside of who haven’t spent time improving,” she said, “like making it so they have
to run to give back or affect change — but some
aren’t. They’ve been around for awhile, in and out
makes campaigning for
positions easier.
SG is going to have a hard in student government
are often behind on the
to show why they want the position.”
But Rogers also said that making too many
of Student Government, getting to know the lay of
the land and making friends in high places.
“[Ca mpa ig ning is]
cha l leng ing w it hout
time understanding issues, according to Rog-
ers and Compton.
changes to SG isn’t feasible. A bill to change the
way senate chairs were chosen “failed miserably”
According to Kelli Rogers, a junior in political
science and student senate president pro tempore,
firsthand knowledge,”
Dawkins said. “There are
the issues.” “[Being in SG is] ben-
eficial because you know
in 2006.
For now, the system is set. However, Dawkins
having years of involvement in SG can give some things in life where your Adam Compton, senior in agricultural the issues, you’re con- said he thinks new people will find their was into
candidates a bit of an advantage. success depends on the business management stantly trying to reach student government.
Rogers, who is running for student senate presi- people around you.” out to students while “Hopefully we’ll see a lot of fresh faces,” he said.
dent unopposed, said she had her sights set on that Compton put it more you’re in student gov-
position since she entered student government as bluntly. ernment,” she said. “So
a freshman. According to her, many SG leaders “It’s incredibly hard for when it’s time for the
start off that way. an outsider to run and election you’re familiar
“When people come in freshman year...you can have a chance,” he said. with them.”
always tell the great leaders, so I guess naturally It’s not just who candidates know, though. Compton agreed.
they just progress up the ladder,” Rogers said. The senate is a breeding ground of new SG tal- “Someone from outside of SG is going to have a
“Sometimes people guess who will be running for ent. Senators have a few paths to take — one of hard time understanding the issues,” he said.
those positions years in advance.” those is taking an appointed chair position. The Compton said non-SG people are also at a dis-
As usual, student body president is hotly con- senate president makes those appointments, and, advantage because of the election rules, more for-
tested with six candidates. But even then, some according to Kelli Rogers, a female has not held mally called “Chapter 7.”

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