News

Incumbent, challenger wage SGA campaigns

By Ray Hafner
Senior Staff Writer

Campaigning for this yearis Student Government Association election is set to kick into high gear today, with polls scheduled to be open Wednesday and Thursday. But based on conversations with the two presidential candidates, the outcome seems a forgone conclusion.

"I donit think itis going to happen," said challenger Nicolaos Somarakis, a junior blank major. Somarakis admits his chances against incumbent Dawona Miller, a junior business major, are slim, especially since he faces an organized Student Voice Party that intends to vigorously campaign.

Somarakis, president of the UH Democrats, said he hopes to draw light on the problems that student organizations face.

"The administration is not really active and involved with groups," he said. When you add in UHis notorious apathy, he said, it makes if difficult for student organizations like UH Democrats or the National Organization for Women to succeed.

Miller said she is confident that when the ballots are tallied sheill remain in office.

"Iim going to run the same race that Iive been running for the past three years," she said. Miller served as a senator her first year in SGA before running for president in Spring 2002.

The election strategy will be different for the two because, as Somarakis puts it, itis him against an "army" of Student Voice candidates. Student Voice is fielding candidates for all 31 SGA seats and being challenged for only five of them.

Somarakis said he intends to work with campus organizations through e-mail and has supportive organizations helping to get the vote out.

Miller said her Student Voice ticket would run a high-profile campaign that plays to its strength in numbers by having students near each of the voting locations.

"We pull out the forces the week of (the election)," she said.

Few issues have developed thus far, but both candidates agree that UH is in need of a parking garage.

If elected, Somarakis said he will make student organizations his top priority. He wants to create special bulletin boards across campus just for student organizations so independent students, like those advertising night clubs or babysitting jobs, wouldnit be able to post fliers over the organizationsi.

Miller countered that her administration has worked with several student organizations during the past year, including Mu Delta, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Nigerian Students Association.

Miller said that among the issues the next president will face is tuition deregulation, a hot topic in the state legislature. Miller said UH students need to get organized to stop any tuition increases.

"If (UH) doesnit cater to the working students, then where will we get our education from?" she asked.

While Somarakis said he doesnit like his chances of being elected, Miller said that if he loses she would help him find a place in the organization where he can contribute.

Polls will be open Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
 

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