CAMPUS AND AREA
University Daily Kansan, January 11, 1984 Page 6
File Photo
Lisa Ashner, left, responds to a question at a candidates' debate sponsored by KJHK in November 1982 as Kevin Walker, right, looks on. Chancellor Gene A. Budig has asked Ashner to stay on as student body president after he invalidated the 1983 elections because of "inconsistencies and ambiguities." Walker, who was a candidate in both elections, filed the election appeal.
Walker continued from p. 1
Young then instructed Deidra Bethea, a secretary in the College office, to sign Walker's declaration on behalf of Joanne Hurst, assistant to dean of the undergraduate program of the College. Hurst had signed the declaration of Scott Swenson, Priority presidential candidate.
Walker then appealed the Elections Committee's decision to leave his name off the ballot on the basis that the filing date was too early. The committee voted to put the name on the ballot but later rescinded its decision.
After the committee's decision.
Walker decided to run as a write-in candidate.
Jim Cramer, student body vice president, said Senate rules did not require that write-in candidates be enrolled in the University.
However, he said, the candidate must be enrolled to take office.
"It's safe to say you can't take office as student body president if you aren't
Walker said that next week he intended to pay his tuition for last semester and by doing so would receive credit for the fall semester.
But Dyck said that University policy would not allow a student to receive credit when he had not paid his fees for an entire semester, therefore Walker could not receive credit for last semester.
Cramer said that because all candidates would have to refile for the next election, Walker's enrollment status last semester would not affect the new election. However, Walker would have his name registered and would have his name placed on the new ballot.
Walker said yesterday that he had not yet enrolled for the spring semester.
"IF WE STRETCH this thing out until March or April there will be a lot of people who throw up their hands, and frankly I can't blame them," Swenson
Swenson said he had asked Caryl Smith, dean of student life, to shorten the appeal process, and he would make a request to the administration next week.
Election continued from p. 1
Walker said he hoped the election would be held within one month, but he was worried that his opponents would try to push the date back. If necessary, he said, he would use his influence in Student Senate to move for an earlier
Costume Party candidate Dennis
"I WAS SURPRISED, a little shocked actually." Highberger said. "I think the administration was right, and I'm glad there will be another election. We still think the same way as before. I think by switching we will help emphasize our ideas of leadership and authority. We have no real leaders."
"Boog" Highberger said the decision had surprised him, but he was pleased. He said the Costume Party would run in the proposed election, but he and his running mate Carla Vogel may trade places.
Higherber also said he would ask the other candidates to form a coalition and be prepared to make changes.
*that would create a more responsible*
*student government.*
"To make it official, the Senate would have to revise the regulations, but it is feasible. I want to do it, and I think the student body would only benefit," he
The decision to hold new elections also surprised Freedom Coalition presidential candidate Steve Bergstrom, who finished last in the November election. Bergstrom praised him and said he would probably run again.
"I think it is a great decision," he said. "Finally someone used some intelligence up there I support them wholeheartedly."
A history of the Senate elections
*Sept. 7 - After a 1828 election marred by complaints of electioneering, plagiarism and ballot-box stuffing, the new Senate election chairman, Jim Clark, announced his intentions to make election rules clearer.
- Oct. 17 — Three coalitions — Priority, Costume Party and Freedom — filed petitions to enter candidates in the election for student body president and vice president. Kevin Walker, the Momentum Coalition's presidential candidate, was not allowed to file because he could not confirm his enrollment at the University. Walker announced he would begin a write-in campaign.
- Oct. 26 - The Senate Elections Committee voted 15-2 to rescind its
*Oct. 24 - Walker and his running mate, Mark McKeen, won an appeal to have their names officially placed on the ballots. The Senate's Elections Committee approved the action by a 5-4 vote.
decision to allow Walker to run as an official candidate.
- Nov. 16 and 17 — Election days.
- Nov. 1 — Robert Walker, campaign coordinator for the Priority Coalition, resigned because he thought his coalition was engaged in "unethical practices" trying to prevent Kevin Walker from running.
- Nov. 17, 9 p.m. — Julie Menze,
chairman of the Elections Review
Board, ruled that all valid write-in
ballots had to include the candidates'
names, not just the coalition name.
- Nov. 17, 10:55 p.m. — After ballot-counting in the Kansas Union, the Priority Coalition's Scott Swenson and Dennis Strickland were declared the winners of the election, the closest in Senate history. Priority received 1,049 votes, 13 more than Momentum's 1,036 write-in votes. The Costume Party received 1,049 votes. At least 39 write-in ballots with the word "Momentum"
were invalidated Candidates Walker and McKee said they would ask for a recount
- Nov. 21 — The Elections Review Board announced that the presidential ballots had been re-tailed and that Priority had won again, this time with 1,064 votes. Costume Party finished second with 1,062 votes, and Momentum finished third with 1,038. The board, by a 3:2 vote, upheld Marmalai's decision to allow him to remain that not have either of the candidates names. Walker announced he would appeal the decision to the University Judiciary.
- Dec. 12 — The University Judicial Board met and decided that the election was "fraught with inconsistencies and ambiguities.
- Jan. 5 - Budig concurred with the Judicial Board's recommendation to conduct a new election.
Swenson surprised by second ouster
By MATT DeGALAN
Staff Reporter
after the University Judiciary Board called for a new election.
Last week Scott Swenson was forced to move out of the Student Senate offices for the second time in less than two months, after Chancellor G. A. Budig declared invalid the election that put him in power.
Svenson first moved out soon after the disputed Nov. 17 election. The Elections Review Board ordered him to recall the votes were being recounted.
He moved back into the offices Nov.
21 after the board ruled in his favor.
"It's kind of like a revolving door." Swenson said this week. "I had a couple of friends here in town who moved the stuff out for me. I just wanted to get it out as quickly as possible and not cause any trouble."
BUDIG'S ORDER LAST Wednesday,
which forced苏蒙 out again, came
He said he was uncertain whether he would be a candidate in the new election. Among the reasons for the change were that he needs to spend more time on his studies.
Swenson also said that he wasn't sure whether his candidacy would be in the race.
statement to make, but I am embarrassed about the whole affair, even though we've done nothing wrong. We got into this election in order to restore credibility to the Senate. This election has done anything but that."
"I wonder if the best thing for the senate isn't an entirely new set of SCHNITZ rules."
Swenson, who was on a camping trip in Colorado when Budig ordered the new election, said he was surprised by the decision.
Once home. Swenson said he discussed the matter with his father and a lawyer.
GRAND OPENING!
He said he consulted an attorney because he was considering appealing the decision of the University Judiciary Court, and sure whether he could legally do so.
Open an account before April 30,1984 and we'll give you:
New InstaBank in the Kansas Union!
- 50 Free Personalized Checks!
- 24 Hour Banking Convenience!
- 1 Free InstaBank Card!