Candidate shortage plagues SGA elections
By Jerry Trently
Lack of student response has
prompted Student Government
President, Tom Halley, to ex
tend the application deadline
for prospective student govern
ment candidates.
As of the original March 18
application deadline, 13 can
didates had signed up for a
screening meeting and only
nine had turned in applications
SGA screens students before
they are officially allowed to
declare themselves candidates.
When first contacted, Halley
said the application deadline
would be adhered to but later
reversed his decision after talk
ing to Screening Committee
Chairman, Tom Steck.
SGA Elections: A look at executive office candidates
SGA elections are April 11 and 12. Featuring of
for screening meetings.
Joe Oddo
Presidential candidate Joe Oddo is a Public
Policy major at Capitol Campus. He previously
attended Penn state’s McKeesport campus.
Currently Odd j is vice-president of the Inter
national Affairs Association, an SGA senator,
and a member of the Public Affairs Association
on campus.
Oddo’s campaign platform was unavailable
for publication as of press time.
Rob Rejmaniak
Vice-presidential candidate Rob Re
jamaniak from Richboro, PA is currently
a member of the campus baseball team
and sports editor for the CAPITOL
TIMES.
“Teamwork” is the basis of his plans as
SGA vice-president. “I am knowledgeable
of the teamwork necessary to run an effec
tive student government,” he says, “and
as captain of the varsity soccer team on
campus I have gained the leadership
qualities necessary to preside over the
government in the president’s absence.”
“He (Steck) told me there
were a number of candidates
interested who had signed up
for screening meetings but had
failed to turn their applications
in,’’Halley said.
“I question the responsibility
of people who can’t meet
candidates here is based on signatures Aplicants featured here are subject to a screening by an SGA committee before they are
considered official candidates.
Presidential candidate Glenn Buchfeller is a
Business Administration major from Parkland,
PA. Prior to Capitol Campus he attended Penn
State’s Allentown Campus.
At. Capitol, Buchfeller is currently an SGA
senator for Business Administration, treasurer
for Beta Chi, a member of the accounting club,
the data processing management club, and the
Chi Gamma lota Fraternity.
Through his experience in the armed forces he
has “been exposed to a variety of cultures and
learned to appreciate the diverse concerns and
interests of different individuals.”
Glenn Buchfeller
deadlines,” he said, “But we
don’t want to kill interest.”
Last Fall, only 286 of the
campus’ 2,000 plus student
population voted in an election
that led to the passage of a
revised SGA constitution, and
elected junior senators.
One problem is that elections
thrive on publicity. Realistical
ly, ours enjoys little.
One solution could be the
allowance of more campaign
time for candidates who are not
allowed advertisement prior to
their screening. Screening
meetings could be held at an
earlier date.
Another solution could make
full use of the campus’ media. I
refer not soley to WNDR radio,
and Capitol Times, but to use of
instructional service equip-
ment. If cleared, a live
presidential debate could be
video taped with this equip
ment.
For example, preliminary
conversation on this
matter has led to the considera
tion of the Lion’s Den for the
taping. Holding the debate at a
strategic time, like the lunch
hour, would expose candidates
to a large luncn-time crowd.
Placement then, of a television
in the dorm cafeteria would
equally reach yet another au
dience.
Although this concept is now
an infant, proper management
could lead to a mature tool for
campus communication, while
making students more aware of
problems like the candidate
shortage.
Tom Dekle
Presidential candidate Thomas Dekle is a
Multi-Media Journalism major from Reading,
PA. He attended Penn State’s Berks Campus
prior to coming to Capitol Campus.
Dekle describes SGA under his leadership as
“cohesive,” “exciting,” and “exhilarating.” I
am confident that I can bring a closer unity of
students-drawing people from the dorms,
Meade Heights, and commuters together to bet
ter enjoy the rewarding qualities of the college
atmosphere,” he says.
Chris Barrett
Vice-presidential candidate Chris Bar
rett is a native of Hazelton, PA. Currently
he serves as president of the International
Affairs Association on campus.
The creation of a “Student Sounding
Board” made up of faculty members who
could answer students’ questions is includ
ed in his plans as SGA vice-president.
Barrett, who is concerned with the
semester-system change, says, “I will
represent student interests if I am elected.
Students will need orientation to all the
changes.”