SMC candidates discuss platforms
By MOLLY McVOY
Sant Mary's Editor
The lack of enthusiasm that characterized the student body elections at Saint Mary's did not carry over into the class elections when eight tickets presented their platforms at the meet the candidates night.
Four tickets arrived to represent the freshman class in running for sophomore class board. Only one ticket was present to run for junior class board while three presented platforms for senior class offices.
Sophomore class tickets
The four tickets running for sophomore class board all emphasized increasing community with Notre Dame and increasing pride in their class and the community of Saint Mary's.
The Mahoney/McGraw ticket which emphasized activities with Notre Dame and new activities for the sophomore class think that if they are excited about activities, they can increase the rest of the student body excited as well.
"If there's someone very excited about the activity in each hall, more people get excited," said Jenny McGraw, candidate for vice president. "If we could get someone in each ahall to work with us in that role, I think that would help."
The Mahoney ticket hopes to implement a class trip to Chicago and have a bowling night once a month as a class.
With a motto of sophoMORE SPIRIT, The Brettnacher/Hall ticket focused on activities that would increase spirit and communication in board of governance and the sophomore class. They want to keep Dalloways open past parietals on weekends and sponsor a Notre Dame/Saint Mary's sophomore back to school dance.
"Our ticket's motto is sophoMORE SPIRT, and I think this platform has a ton of spirit," said Mandy Brettnacher, candidate for sophomore class president.
The Jablonski-Diehl/Janke ticket emphasized coordinating activities for more participation and sponsoring both service and spirit activities. They want to have career exploration available for the class and sponsor a blood drive as a class.
"Each of us on our ticket are diverse," said Linda Janke, candidate for vice president. "We each bring a lot of different ideas to the platform. Hopefully, they'll be new and innovative."
The last ticket running for sophomore class offices, the Harrison/McLaughlin ticket emphasized all of the communities that Saint Mary's women are a part of. The want to increase the communication between Notre Dame women, Holy Cross Women and Saint Mary's women in addition to having a mentoring program within the majors and a sophomore class picinic.
"First of all, we want to do whatever you want us to do," said Katie Harrison, the presidential ticket.
Junior class tickets
The single ticket running for junior class offices consisted of Alison Joseph, Stephanie Pace, Maria Conticelli and Julie Richardson. Their focus is on unity and involvement. They hope to sponsor a junior spirit week that would culminate with a junior class dance.
"Community is the key to any successful event," vice presidenial candidate Pace said. "To help enhance community between the board and our class, we want to have a suggestion box, a newsletter, a website and a bulletin board."
Senior class tickets
Three tickets entered the race for senior class board and were represented at meet the candidates night. They all emphasized the importance of making their senior year memorable and planning activities that will do so.
The Kuhen/James ticket want to plan activities that make life easier for students, like offering Saint Michael's laundry service Volunteer work was important as with all the other tickets at meet the candidates.
"Saint Michael's has the transportation and the time for us," Kuhen, the presidential candidate said. "They don't have a way to bill us yet, so the only thing left to implement a way to collect the money."
In addition to increasing spirit, the Meyer/Houser ticket wants to offer information and opportunities related to graduation and career planning. The also hope to have a spring field day and winter "snowdown" that will offer outdoor activities for the class.
"We hope to have a column in our newsletter dedicated to senior post-graduation news," Meghan Meyer, the candidate for president said. "We'll have a liason on our board that will work directly with Dave Wilkenson from career and counseling."
Another major part of their ticket was increased interest in Saint Mary's athletics. They want to sponsor a "game of the week" that will possibly be sponsored by several classes at the college.
The Weldon/Crawford ticket also emphasized the importance of a memorable senior year. They hope to be instrumental in those memories by having a first semester senior retreat, Saint Mary's tailgates and a senior talent show.
"The retreat will be there so bonding among seniors can take place," Erin Weldon, the presidential ticket said.
All News Stories for Friday, February 23, 2001
