Vote Slate 57 or Slate 61

The 2008 University of Cincinnati Student Government Association (SGA) election is only a week away and the candidates are speaking out to win your vote.

There are two president and vice president slates competing to be the new leaders of the UC student body.

Slate 57 consists of Joshua Miller, a third-year psychology student and current president of the Network of Undergraduate African Americans, running for president and Sailee Teredesai, a second-year biopsychology student and social chair of the Psychology Club, running for vice president. Slate 57's platform, called the "BAM plan," stands for better implementation of the UC|21 Diversity Task Force, improved accessibility to the student government and maintenance of off-campus housing.

Miller and Teredesai's campaign slogan is "WE SEE WHAT UC," and they said they are qualified to lead the SGA because they are "looking at issues from a student's perspective."

Ryan Rosensweig, a fourth-year marketing and operations management student, is running for president along with Sean Lee, a third-year finance student, as the vice president candidate for Slate 61. Their platforms are confidence in safety, connected community and collective services that put students at the center.

Rosensweig and Lee said they are committed to being the base for a student-led sustainability initiative at the University of Cincinnati and also said diversity among SGA leaders is important.

"Bottom line: it is about listening, leading with your heart and having the experience to deliver results," Rosensweig said.

In addition to the presidential and vice presidential race, there are 14 candidates running for Student Senate.

Danielle Boyle, second-year journalism student, was an At-Large Senator her freshman year and said she hopes to be re-elected to continue with her work from last year. Boyle partnered with the Wellness Center to improve its smoking cessation classes and wants to establish once-a-month town hall meetings with students to improve the lines of communication.

Doug Ealy, a third-year communication student, is assistant music director and a host DJ for Bearcast Student Internet Radio. His platform is get there by improving parking on campus, get educated by improving library services, get involved by creating a yearly unity fair and get it out there by informing UC students of important programs and services.

Alex Glutz, a second-year finance student, is currently an At-Large Senator running for reelection. He said he wants to enhance the experience of UC students by creating a stronger student voice, ensuring a safer campus and working for student services.

Andrew Kraemer is a fourth-year marketing and finance student who has served on the Student Activities Board for the past two years. His platform is to improve UC's image, safety and campus involvement, and he said he will fight to get things done.

Timothy Lolli is a third-year marketing student who has served the SGA as the director of campus services on the cabinet. His campaign slogan is "Wear Red, Wear Black, Be Proud," and his platform is to promote campus involvement and school spirit and also continue growth of on- and off-campus safety.

Daniel McCurry is a second-year civil and environmental engineering student who works part time at the Environmental Protection Agency doing research to improve the quality and safety of drinking water. His platform is sustainability and increasing academic standards for admissions to UC.

Jason Reising is a third-year finance student who worked a year as the Student Activities Board Senator. He said he would address student traffic safety, create a more visible Student Government on campus and a more tangible student saver card.

Mark Rooney is a first-year finance and accounting student who served as Jay Radley's intern. If elected, he said he wants to improve academic advising and safety and expand services for the international student population. He would also like to create a working ride share Web site for UC students.

Mark Wood is a second-year finance and marketing student who has served on the Student Activities Board. His platform is improved student services, student safety and senate accountability.

The other candidates, David Barry, Patrice Barnes, Cherelle Todd, Janani Prativadi and Kate Dewitt, could not be reached for comment.

Current Student Government President James Radley and Vice President Jared Brandyberry said they hope Student Government elections will have a larger turnout than last year.

The election is slated to be held on Blackboard from April 21 through April 23.