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Student Voice sanctions eased

Commission allows 100 to campaign for Minor during runoff

By Geronimo Rodriguez
Senior Staff Writer

After a three-hour preliminary hearing Monday, the Student Government Association Election Commission revised its campaign sanctions against Student Voice candidate Alysia Minor, choosing to allow 100 Student Voice party members to help Minor campaign during the SGA vice presidential runoff election Wednesday and Thursday.

"I hope she's satisfied with changes," Chief Election Commissioner Jason Short said after the closed hearing, which was facilitated by University Hearing Board Chairman Pathik Desai. The meeting was held to determine whether Minor's appeal was substantial enough to be presented to the Hearing Board.

Minor appealed the commission's earlier decision to allow no Student Voice member but her to campaign in the runoff for vice president against UH 4 U's Matt Bell. The commission supported its punishment, which was announced March 12, with four complaints citing questionable campaign tactics by Student Voice members. Minor was not mentioned in any of the complaints.

During the hearing, Minor said, Assistant Election Commissioner Jackie Thomas said the initial punishment was too harsh.

The revised restrictions prevent Student Voice from campaigning within 75 feet of the Social Work Building and 50 feet of Melcher Hall, both locations cited in complaints. In addition, Student Voice will not be allowed to campaign at the Philip Guthrie Hoffman Hall Breezeway, a restriction placed on both Student Voice and UH 4 U during the general election.

Minor said the revised restrictions aren't warranted, but she agreed to them in the interest of time. Campaigning for the runoff election began Monday and runs through 7 p.m. Thursday when voting will be closed.

"I'm not completely pleased with it, because it's like I'm agreeing to let (the commission) break my toe rather than break my leg," Minor said. "I think it's good that there is a system of accountability, but I don't think the complaints were valid."

Although Student Voice didn't file any complaints against opposing political parties during the general election, Minor said that may change during the runoff.

"It's frivolous, but yes, (Student Voice members) will file complaints if we see any," she said.
 

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