And the Winner is...
Campaign Ends After Intense Race
by Alisia Cordero and Natalie Patterson
Issue date: 5/4/09 Section: News
Talk of pre-screened questions from We Make Lehman supporters and lack of preparation on the part of Lehman Students United engrossed the blogosphere, which ignited dialogue among students, in motivating the candidates to work harder at promoting transparency. The debates also fuelled a recurring battle of old policies versus new initiatives and highlighted the importance of reaching out to a wide cross section of students. Candidates courted students in the traditional way by spending time in classrooms talking to them and handing out flyers on the main walkway. But it was obvious that technology and new media played a critical role in the elections , with social networking and video sharing sites such as Facebook and YouTube as well as text messaging and the internet facilitating mass communication between students and candidates.
"I think that Facebooking to fellow students that you are running for student government and asking us to tell you what issues we feel are important so that they can be addressed is better than any other campaigning strategy," said Sophomore Stephanie Colon.
Although these creative campaign strategies ignited interest and increased the number of students that showed up to vote, they were also in the midst of controversy and proposed a unique challenge for the Election Board. According to sources, on April 29 a complaint was filed with the Election Board that LSU was disseminating campaign materials in print and online, that had not been submitted to and approved by the Board.
It is without a doubt that this new trend of internet based mobilization of students will continue, and as such the Election Board is considering amending the election code to set parameters for the use and role of the internet in future elections.
This election was characterized by complaints and public hearings. Students, who had expressed exceptional interest in the elections, utilized all the tools and provisions in the electoral process. Several complaints of violations were made to the Election Board between April 29 and May 4. These complaints resulted in a delay in the announcement of election results due to the fact that public hearings had to be held in order to resolve all issues before the results were disclosed. The candidates and students were forced to wait until May 4 after the Election Board had presided over the hearings and deliberated.
"I think that Facebooking to fellow students that you are running for student government and asking us to tell you what issues we feel are important so that they can be addressed is better than any other campaigning strategy," said Sophomore Stephanie Colon.
Although these creative campaign strategies ignited interest and increased the number of students that showed up to vote, they were also in the midst of controversy and proposed a unique challenge for the Election Board. According to sources, on April 29 a complaint was filed with the Election Board that LSU was disseminating campaign materials in print and online, that had not been submitted to and approved by the Board.
It is without a doubt that this new trend of internet based mobilization of students will continue, and as such the Election Board is considering amending the election code to set parameters for the use and role of the internet in future elections.
This election was characterized by complaints and public hearings. Students, who had expressed exceptional interest in the elections, utilized all the tools and provisions in the electoral process. Several complaints of violations were made to the Election Board between April 29 and May 4. These complaints resulted in a delay in the announcement of election results due to the fact that public hearings had to be held in order to resolve all issues before the results were disclosed. The candidates and students were forced to wait until May 4 after the Election Board had presided over the hearings and deliberated.
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