Four SGA positions uncontested

There are seven SGA executive positions, and ten candidates.

That has left four positions in which the candidates are running uncontested. A group where the only person they have to worry about campaigning against is any rogue, "Julio Jones" write-ins.

The Crimson White interviewed these four candidates to let readers know about them and what they plan on doing with the position.

Allen Ross, a junior majoring in finance, is running for executive vice president. Aside from being a Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration senator and president pro temp of the Senate, he is also a member of the Commerce Association.

Ross said he thinks his experience is what will make him an effective executive vice president.

"I decided to run for executive vice president because I have a lot of experience in [the SGA] Senate and I know I have the leadership ability to be executive vice president," Ross said. "Just because I'm running unopposed doesn't mean I'm not taking my campaign seriously."

His platform includes involving more students in the decision making process of the senate.

"The first main point of my platform is I want to better connect senators to their constituents through the colleges," Ross said. "I want to improve Senate transparency with the creation of a Senate journal.

"The journal would contain all resolutions and bills, minutes of the meetings, senate voting records, absences and committee chair reports." Ross said. "The point of this is to let people know what we're doing - I think it will keep senators more accountable to their constituents."

Louise Crow, a junior majoring in public relations, is running for vice president of student affairs and is the current SGA director of communications.

Outside of the SGA, she is a University Steward, president of Kappa Delta sorority, a student in the University Honors Program,and a member of Crimson Karma.

She said she thinks her dedication to student government will make her a good vice president for student affairs.

"I genuinely have a passion for serving students," Crow said. "I've been involved with student government since elementary school. Student affairs, in my opinion, serves so many different aspects that affect student life. I feel I can serve our campus best for taking an active role in making the student experience here at the Capstone as memorable as possible."

Her platform includes improving student safety, making transportation more efficient and Homecoming unification.

"My whole focus is making the Capstone home," Crow said. "As students, this is our temporary home, so this campus should serve as a home to students inside and outside the classroom."

Philip Mahoney is a junior majoring in investment management running for vice president of financial affairs and is the current SGA treasurer.

Other than his involvement in the SGA, he was president of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and an active participant in intramurals.

"I just wanted to continue to serve the student body." Mahoney said. "I also think its good experience and I've enjoyed working with the student organization I was part of this year."

Mahoney's platform is based on improving the efficiency of the Financial Affairs Committee.

"One thing I would like to improve is, right now there is money allotted but never claimed," he said. "I would impose a rule that an organization has three months to claim allotted funds before they are returned to the general FAC fund."

Blair Darnell is a junior majoring in social work running for executive secretary and is a current SGA senator for the school of social work.

Other than her involvement in the SGA, she is in the University Honors Program, Alabama Action, a volunteer at Big Brother Big Sisters of America and a sister of Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

She said she decided to run for executive secretary after serving two years in the Senate.

"I've been a senator for the past two years and decided I wanted to be involved in a different aspect," she said.

Darnell's platform revolves around making the position of executive secretary matter to students.

"When a lot of people think about executive secretary they think the position is pointless or don't know what it does," Darnell said. "This year I want to give a definition to what it does. I feel the position has a lot of potential and would like to see great things accomplished by the executive secretary."