Truman State University - Echo Yearbook (Kirksville, MO)

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During an open debate between Smith and the executive slate officers of each party, the can' didates were given an op portunity to discuss issues posed by students. The candidates discussed their views on the implemen- tation of a Quiet Week, off-campus housing, the University ban on posters pro moting alcohol, and residence hall visitation. Smith said all of the issues are conditional on what hap- pens during the year. It isn't a finite list, but some of the concerns that need to be addressed. he said. In the fall election students reinforced the positive reaction to independent can- AWAY FROM THE HUBBUB ol the mall, junior Kevin Smith, independent presidential candidate, talks with junior Sally Troutman and junior Dwayne Gatson at his campaign table. didates. Only one senate seat was won by a can- didate not backed by a party, but five students ran for one of the 10 available seats. Sopho- more Tracy Griesenauer. running in- dependently, beat senior Michelle Yost, also an in- dependent. by SO votes in a four-person race for council- woman. Griesenauer said she thought can- didates running independently may have been successful because students do not think the parties serve a useful purpose. I think it's because students are pro- bably tired of all these political things. They think it's kind of a joke so they just say. 'Well, I'll vote for this independent candidate', she said. Griesenauer said she also found running independently easier than running on a party ticket. I didn't have to worry about party function things. she said. I could just put up my posters. Newcomb said the NMS 'YOU' party is very supportive of its candidates. The NMS YOU' party supports its members rather than the members supporting the party. she said. We re people oriented rather than party-oriented. It is good moral support to know during a campaign that others are also out trying to help you while you are campaigning. McMasters said. However. Smith said the quality of students now attending the University has contributed to the higher number of students running and winning independent- ly. I think there is some correlation be tween the value-added program and the quality of students we re getting at North- east. Perhaps they are better students; therefore, they get out and vote. He said this is a change from the past when the most active students were Greek and tend- ed to vote in blocks for candidates. Because of the type of students, they are trying to vote for the best students and are not intimidated by parties or anything else.” Smith said, if Elect VINCC — j Dir r I backthi BOU.OOC PARTY • ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, freshman Annette Carron and junior Vince Rice avoid sore feet by using a golf cart. Both parties used the golf carts as a campaign vehicle. A HOMEMADE BANNER hanging from Laughlin Hall urges students to vote for presidential can- didate Kevin Smith. Junior Jodi Carlson, a cam- paigner for Smith, views the action on the mall. Elections 1 C Student Life 1 J Lu

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campaign Election makes history Independence was the key word in the spring Student Senate elections as junior Kevin Smith, running in- dependently. won the senate presiden- tial race. I think we got a lot of students to vote that usually don't vote. Smith said. He ran an unobtrusive campaign, relying mainly on word of mouth to publicize his candidacy. I campaigned through friends who campaigned through friends. he said. It was just kind of a chain reaction, and I think it worked. Smith is the first candidate in the history of the Student Senate or its predecessor, the Student Council, to be elected without the backing of a political party. Smith said he chose to run independent- ly because he saw no real differences bet- ween the two political parties. By choos- ing to run independently, it forces the par- ties to become more structured. It will make them sit down with their ideas and carry through with them. Smith said the parties serve only one purpose. The parties are nothing more than a way of getting people elected. Smith pulled out a slim 29 vote victory over junior Joe Lightfoot. Bulldog party candidate. NMS 'You' party candidate junior Cathi Newcomb, followed closely. The NMS 'You' Party, however, success fully combined a new party name, a new approach and some new faces to capture 17 of the 28 seats. The name (Student Participation Party) was worn out. senior Terry Beckler. NMS You' party president, said. It is impersonal. The name change sparked both interest and questions about the party, he said. We wanted the party to have an image that related to the University and the students. Newcomb said. As part of that image, the party decided not to develop a platform of issues. In- stead. the candidates ran on a platform of listening to and being a voice for students. We want to be your voice. Newcomb said. We want to represent you as a student. Junior Jim Sharrock ran on the NMS 'You' party ticket and was elected vice- president. He also said listening was the most important focus of the party's cam- paign. I think Student Senate needs to be listening more to what students are saying. Rather than new faces and a fresh outlook, the Bulldog party relied on senate working experience. On its executive slate, the party had about 10 years of working experience, senior Tim Boozan. president of the Bulldog Party, said. An experienced Student Senate will have made many of the contacts and know the channels to use to even get started. Lightfoot said. Experienced senators have a better feel for what the students need. The Bulldog Party candidates said the party and its platform were good support for the campaign. The party is a vehicle to get students elected. Lightfoot said. We have a lot of togetherness, freshman Mary Ann McMasters. the only member of the Bulldog executive slate elected, said. You don't run as yourself, you run as a party. McMasters was elected secretary. Both Smith and the Bulldog Party had certain issues they felt Student Senate should address and both said the work of the senate was not done within the limits of the weekly meetings. The senate meeting is an hour to an hour-and-a-half every week It is unrealistic to think that is all senate does. Smith said. So many things we (Student Senatei try. nobody ever knows we try.' McMasters said. Both parties and Smith were concerned that senate members be aware of proper channels and methods of effective commit- tee work. The solutions are not always known. They have to be researched and go through senate. Smith said. A REFRESHING DRINK, provided by Cardinal Key member senior Sandy Armstrong, give junior Jim Sharrock a break from campaigning for the NMS ‘YOU’ party outside the Union. MEk-clion Student Life

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AT THE SOURCE of the procession, Jane Barnett, assistant professor of physical educa- tion, leads the way with junior marshals Scott Ewing and Kathleen Armcntrout. A SPECIAL MESSAGE to Mom appears on graduate Bob Sinak's cap. Sinak's sister wore a cap with the message Me Too.” Silly stunts ad- ded humor to a serious occasion. The last walk through campus leads the way to New paths by JENNY JEFFRIES THE FINAL STEPS of a college career are taken by graduate student David Cunningham as he receives his diploma from President Charles McClain at summer commencement. Graduation Student Life