Issues ranging from precept reform to the accessibility of career services were raised at last night's USG candidates' forum. More than 40 University students — running for positions on the U-Council and 2003, 2004 and 2005 class offices — proposed an array of solutions to issues facing the University.
There are 21 students running for 10 spots on the 2002-2003 U-Council, with every member given a vote in the USG Senate and the Council for Princeton University Committee, in addition to being assigned to a subcommittee of the CPUC.
The elections will take place between midnight tonight and 11:59 p.m. Sunday. Each undergraduate student is allowed to vote for their class elections and three U-Council candidates.
In the senior class race, three presidential candidates have emerged in what is becoming one of the more hotly contested races. The incumbent Catherine Farmer '03 — who has been class president for the last two years — is facing opposition from freshman year president Clark Webb '03 and Anne Braveman '03, a USG newcomer.
The senior class president is responsible for organizing the Baccalaureate day speaker and helping to choose the class beer jackets.
Farmer promised to continue the work of her previous two years in office, as well as organizing more class events during the week between the end of finals and Commencement, establishing a mentorship program with the parent Class of 1978 and helping to prepare seniors for real-world tasks — finding an apartment, repairing a car and wine tasting, to name a few.
Webb spoke more generally about the role of the class president and how his character and leadership style are well suited for the office.
He spoke of increasing campus communication and "opening doors" to better alumni relations.
Braveman opened with her campaign slogan, "So fresh and so clean, clean," which refers to her fresh perspective and the wide spectrum of people and opinions she represents. Her platform focused largely on the Class of 2003 itself, both in making it less stratified and in publicizing the undiscovered talent.
In the question-and-answer session, all three candidates agreed that the Baccalaureate speaker should not be a political figure — who they feared would divide the class.
Senior class elections
The race for senior class vice president is between incumbent Courtney Coleman '03 and Hannah Foster '03. Both candidates pledged to continue the class activities, such as movie nights and class-sponsored trips to New York.
Heather Morr '03 is running unopposed for senior class treasurer as is Luck Dookchitra '03 for senior class secretary.
The race for senior class social chair will be between incumbent Nancy Saedi '03 and Scott Worswick '03, both of whom pledged to organize more class trips and study breaks.
Nearly all the 21 U-Council candidates agreed on the importance of precept reform, as well as working to get late meals on weekends, more funding for club sports, a 24-hour central study space and getting career services moved to a more accessible campus location.
One creative suggestions included organizing a shuttle between Frist Campus Center and both Jadwin Gym and the West Windsor recreational Fields.
Junior class elections
Most races for the junior class are unopposed, including president Eli Goldsmith '04, vice president Rishi Jaitly '04, treasurer Michael Angelo '04 and secretary Maureen Monagle '04. Social chair is the only contested race, between Justin Palmen '04 and Milo Adams '04.
Sophomore class elections
The sophomore class elections are far more contested, with only current treasurer Emily Moxley '05 running unopposed.
Four candidates have emerged for the presidential race — incumbent Beau Harbour '05, Kyle Detwiler '05, Nitesh Paryani '05 and Justin Reed '05.
Harbour pledged to continue the activities of the past year and to work on improving class unity and the mentorship program with the parent and grandparent classes.
Detwiler proposed improving freshman academic advising. Paryani vowed to unlock the "untapped potential of 2005," and Reed addressed improving communication with the USG.
For sophomore class vice president, incumbent Federico Baradello '05 is facing opposition from Priya Kumar '05 and Damian Peterson '05.
The race for sophomore class secretary is coming down between incumbent Surabhi Saraswat '05, Michelle Leutzinger '05, a Daily Princetonian staff writer, and Patrick Cunningham '05, who delivered what was probably the most entertaining speech of the evening.
The race for sophomore class social chair, incumbent Stephanie Scott '05 will square off against Jade Guanchez '05.
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