Hi 72 / Lo 50
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Volume 72, Issue 107,
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
News Independents going it alone Some Senate candidates say they can provide fresh voices to a race dominated by SGA's UH4U party by KELSIE HAHN
The Student Government Association party UH4U is guaranteed 22 of 31 races in the general election, but 10 independent candidates are looking to bring different voices to the senate. Political science junior Josh Sarkar, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences seat No. 5 candidate, said he had initially planned to join the UH4U ticket, but other students convinced him to strike out on his own. "After talking to several people, I discovered that many are concerned UH4U has a monopoly over campuswide politics," he said. "UH4U has nothing but the best intentions and lots of experience, but I think it's crucial that SGA has as much independent participation as possible." Sarkar said the students he spoke with didn't have specific concerns other than the possibility of stagnancy within the body. "If there is no one to challenge UH4U, then they are essentially able to decide unilaterally who represents the student body, and that isn't good for anybody," he said. Psychology junior Alexander Obregon, candidate for CLASS seat No. 8, said he was forced to run independently because UH4U had filled all of its CLASS nominations, but that he is trying to use his lack of party affiliation to his advantage. "I think from a student's standpoint, it is not advantageous to be represented by one party," he said. "I am not confounded by a platform and can get a feel from students as to what their concerns are." Psychology and journalism junior Stephanie King said she did did not join UH4U in her bid for CLASS seat No. 3 because she wants to provide balance to the Senate. "I am new to UH, and when I researched UH4U, I could not find much information on it, nor did many people I talk to have any idea what it is," she said. "While I agree the party's goals are ones that have an impact on many students, I think an independent candidate that can showcase other ideas and goals is a good balance to the UH4U party." King said her goals differ from those of UH4U in that she wants to see an increase in social consciousness and focus on UH's diverse, non-traditional student population. Current SGA Vice President David Rosen, who is running unopposed as the UH4U presidential candidate, said his party is seeking to reach out to students on campus in order to remain accessible and accountable. "Being unopposed isn't as much fun as some people might say it is. There's a tremendous pressure on any one party that has won every branch of government to remain transparent," he said. "We're making sure we're doing everything we can to be as open as we can." Competition encourages student awareness and involvement in the governing progress, Rosen said, and added that he was disappointed there aren't more contested races. "I wish everybody was opposed," he said. "Competition is a good thing. It's exciting -- it means people from more than one direction are bringing students to the polls." Rosen said that a low level of opposition indicates students are satisfied with the job SGA, and UH4U, has been doing. "I think if people were really upset with the student government in this school, they would have contested (us)," he said. Without the backing of a party, several independent candidates said they expect a fight if they want to win their seats. "Given the amount of people UH4U has, it is going to be tough to beat their numbers, but hopefully I can generate enough support to win my seat," Obregon said. Sarkar said he doesn't think his independent status will hurt his chances of winning. "It does mean I will have to try that much harder," he said. "No reason to be afraid of a little hard work, though." The bottom line, King said, is that independent candidates offer students more choice. "There should be more party variety to keep topic debate open, especially since UH is such a large university," she said. Send comments to dcnews@mail.uh.edu |
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