Members of the senior class submitted their petitions last night to run in the annual election for young alumni trustee, a four-year position held by recent graduates on the University's Board of Trustees.
But for the 25 or so candidates who handed in their petitions yesterday, there is no real campaign process. Candidates for young alumni trustee (YAT) are not allowed to take a position on any issue that may come before the board in the future during the campaign period or to publicize their candidacy through posters, emails or other forms of mass communication.
Candidates were generally supportive of the campaign ban, explaining that not needing to campaign made the process more relaxed than other elections. Though they are running against each other, the candidates have found support among themselves through acts like signing one another's petitions.
"All the candidates have been really friendly. It's been a very supportive experience," Galen Laserson '07 said.
A member of the senior class is elected each spring from a pool of between 20 and 35 seniors to join the University's 40-member Board of Trustees for a four-year term, Alumni Council Director Margaret Miller '80 said.
At precisely 8 p.m., 28 seniors sat down in a room on the first floor of Maclean House to submit their petitions and to clarify their concerns about running for the position.
Since not all the candidates could attend the meeting, an additional session was held later in the night to accommodate those with scheduling conflicts. To enter the race, seniors must have collected the signatures of 50 other seniors.
Primary elections will be held in early March, in which only members of the senior class are eligible to vote. The three highest vote-getters will then proceed to the final election, in which members of the Classes of 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 can vote. The winner's name will be announced on June 2 following the P-rade.
"[The Board's members] are stewards of the University and get to discuss and examine a lot of the issues that are ... connected to the future of Princeton," Miller said.
Though the chances of winning the election are slim, most candidates interviewed said they are not apprehensive about the race. Instead, they are excited about the chance to become involved in the University's decision-making processes.
One candidate, Freddie Flaxman '07, said he is "looking to be involved in the school after graduation" and "would rather not obsess about the number [of candidates running]."
Another candidate, Jesse Creed '07, said being the YAT "seems like an amazing opportunity to be at the head of Princeton, which is like a major corporation."
"It's a real opportunity to become more involved in the University and to give back to the school. I loved my time at Princeton. I've been on University committees, and I've always found those really rewarding," Laserson said.
The current YATs are Brady Walkinshaw '06, Matt Margolin '05 and Rishi Jaitly '04. Olivier Kamanda '03 will step down from his post to make way for this year's winner.
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