the university daily kansan tuesday, april 13, 2004 Election guide 2004 Student Senate elections April 14 & 15 From left to right, Blake Swenson, Delta Force presidential candidate, Kevin McKenzie, Delta Force vice-presidential candidate, cheer on their hippie stereotype as he arm wrestles his opponent, the greek stereotype. Jeff Dunlap, KUnited vicepresidential candidate and Steve Munch, KUnited presidential candidate, cheer on their representative. Vote KUnited for one community 'Kansan' editorial board endorses KUnited So much for stereotypes. This year the candidates for student body president and vice president are taking steps toward breaking common perceptions: KUnited as the greek coalition and Delta Force as the hippie party. The Kansan editorial board recognized the changes. KUnited is the best coalition for the job. The candidates for KUnited were wellinformed and their platforms focused on University change. Last Wednesday, the Kansan Editorial Board interviewed the executive candidates from both parties. Blake Swenson and Kevin McKenzie, president and vice-president candidates for Delta Force, arrived in suits and ties. KUnited candidates Steve Munch and Jeff Dunlap arrived in jeans and short-sleeved shirts. Neither coalition looked its part. However, wardrobe was not the primary consideration as both groups presented their ideas about University of Kansas governance and the issues important to their would-be constituents. OURVIEW The Kansan editorial board voted to endorse the KUnited presidential and vice-presidential candidates for their knowledge and confidence in their coalition's platforms. Look inside for endorsements of each candidate and of the four referendums. KUNITED Munch DELTA FORCE Dunlap Student Senate is limited. Although a governmental body, the bureaucracy of the University ensures that student senators must work with University administrators to achieve substantial goals. The elected representatives also must be capable of working fast because of the one-year term. Munch and Dunlap's research and grasp of Student Senate operations fit the requirements Swenson McKenzie needed for the job. Their persuasiveness and confidence was evident throughout the questioning, and their ease with each other Dunlap referred to the two as a couple displayed their potential to be effective leaders on campus next year. KUnited's environmental platform is innovative and realistic. The coalition has developed a plan to mandate the use of biodiesel fuel—a cost-effective soy fuel - for the University's bus system. Munch and Dunlap, who has been the transportation board chairman, explained that because the University's transportation department was under the control of Student Senate, the idea was feasible and would solidify Lawrence's standing as a progressive community. The platform benefits the University with cost-effective fuel and may also benefit Kansas farmers. Though Delta Force had a keen sense of the role the University played in the larger community, this year the focus should be on the campus. And while KUnited may be reaching with its fixed-tuition contract—a contract that would give students a set cost for tuition that cannot change during a student's four years at the University—at least it ran the possibilities by University administrators before presenting it as an achievable plan. KUnited's commitment to realistic and actionable goals will help guide the change wanted and needed by students. FOR MORE SENATE COVERAGE: See the candidates résumés and letters to students on the Kansan Web site, www.kansan.com. See tomorrow's opinion page for columns from both coalitions executive candid executive candidates. KUnited candidate Delta Force candidate Independent candidate Enforced by the editorial board KANSAN Michelle Romback editor 864-4054 or mburhenn@kansan.com Andrew Vaupel managing editor 864-4854 or vaulpel@kansan.com Meghan Brune and Johanna M. Maska opinion editors 864-4924 or opinion@kansan.com Danielle Bose business manager 864-4358 or addirector@kansan.com Stephanie Graham retail sales manager 864-435c or adsales@kansan.com Mekcolm Gibson general manager and news adviser 864-7687 or mgbison@kansan.com Matt Fisher sales and marketing adviser 864-7686 or mfleher@kansan.com Editorial Board Members **Editorial Board Members** Kendall Dix Lynzne Ford Laura Francovigita Amy Hammontree Kelly Hollowell Teresa Lao Mindy Osborne Ryan Scarow Elizabeth Willy Paul Whitmorete Zach Stinson Zach Newton Wes Benson Sara Behunek Kevin Flaherty Brandon Gay Zack Hemenway Alex Hoffman Kawimpwin Amely Kelly Cameron Koelling Courtney Kuhlen Brandi Matuesean Travis Metcalf Mike Norris Jonathan Reeder Erin Riffey Alea Smith Karl Zimmerman ---