Nagle, Matha run unopposed on SMC presidential ticket
By KATIE MILLER
News Writer
Current student body presidential candidate Michelle Nagle almost didn't run for office.
But it's a good thing she did.
Running uncontested with runningmate Kristen Matha, the Nagle/Matha ticket marks one of the only times in Saint Mary's history that a presidential ticket will run for office without opposition. Following an election debacle last year that witnessed four tickets vying for government seats, this year's election is a stark contrast to the overwhelming interest in last year's election.
Both Matha and Nagle are concerned that the uncontested ticket could deter students from coming to the polls Monday, and are adamant that the student body still has a choice to make.
"We're very passionate about student government; if students don't support us I'd hope they would vote and abstain," Nagle said.
Should more students opt to abstain and keep Nagle/Matha from securing a majority of the student body vote Monday, the election would result in a vote of no confidence, and the election process would start over again.
The election process didn't start off with only one ticket interested in declaring candidacy, however. Three tickets attended the informational meeting mandatory to declare candidacy in November, but only Nagle/Matha chose to run. One ticket decided to run in senior class elections instead, according to student body president Crissie Renner. The other ticket simply took other avenues of getting involved at Saint Mary's.
Renner can't completely explain why there is only one ticket running. Part could be voters' satisfaction with Nagle, current student body vice president, Renner suggested. Another factor could be time.
"A lot of people are happy with [Nagle], but people do enjoy fresh faces, it's hard to say," said Renner. "It's a very demanding position."
Campaigning tactics haven't changed for the unopposed duo, who are attacking the campaign as if they were running against other tickets. In their minds, the race is against losing their potential seats in Board of Governance to abstentions.
"Nothing's changed," said Nagle. "We're running against abstentions."
"We still need to rally the student body," said Matha.
Both Nagle and Matha will admit that more than one ticket would be in the best interests of the school, and will aim to incorporate more student opinion into how they run their administration if they secure office Monday.
"I think its unfortunate for the student body," said Nagle. "This is a very humbling experience; this is not how I wanted to come into office. We'll make a point to say to the tickets that didn't run, `What would you have done?'"
Some believe that student apathy is the reason there is only one ticket. After four tickets ran for office last year, resulting in the first-ever tie in Saint Mary's history, many are surprised that there is not a greater turnout this year.
"I've noticed a general apathy among students. Fewer people turn out for events," said junior Kathleen Nickson, LeMans Hall council vice-president.
The situation came as a mixture of surprise and disappointment to Nagle, who initially believed that she would be a hindrance to Matha's winning the election. A three-year veteran of student government, Nagle was concerned that her experience could be a negative in a tight campaign. She seriously considered not running because students may need a new face in student government, she said.
That wasn't the case, however.
"The fact that only one ticket is running is not a horrible thing," said Georgeanna Rosenbush, Director of Student Activities. "In my 18 years at Saint Mary's, it's happened three or four times — its all part of a cycle."
Time constraints could be another reason that students shy away from running, where a small campus finds many students involved in multiple activities.
The time commitment of student body president is something that has to be exclusive to other activities.
This could be deterring some students, Rosenbush said.
"At Saint Mary's, we give our study body leader a lot of power, and this comes with a great deal of responsibility," she said. "This fall, I had many students approach me about running in the elections, but they also wanted to do other things; student body president is a full-time job.
"I am honest with students when they ask about the level of commitment. Many student body presidents have ended relationships due to the immense time commitment," Rosenbush continued.
Some students believe the responsibility of the job is deterring some potential candidates.
"It's hard to be a representative for every group and personality on campus," said Julia Fletcher, junior and LeMans Hall council treasurer.
"It brings a lot of conflict, there are only a select few that can take on that feat. Those are the ones who are on the ticket and deserve the position."
All News Stories for Thursday, February 1, 2001
