SALEM – Because the previously elected president and vice-president of the Student Government Organization (SGO) have abandoned their posts, the remaining members are compelled to hold an emergency election.
John Teagarden, the elected SGO president, withdrew from classes in early October, and Ryan Long, the former vice-president, didn’t even register for classes this fall, according to Kristen Toothman, manager of enrollment and student services.
There are no provisions in the Kent State University Student Government Organization Constitution for emergency elections, said Toothman, so members motioned and agreed upon the emergency measure.
Lucian Clewell, candidate for president, has two years of experience as SGO President, from 2006–2008, and was defeated by Teagarden with only 12 votes in the spring 2008 election. Now he wants to share what he has learned to rebuild a successful and productive representative body.The 2006 - 2008 administration, under his leadership, threw the catered “going away” bash for students, faculty and staff, orchestrated fund-raising events and purchased the flat screen television in the vending lounge. Clewell pointed out that his success would not have been possible without the strong, competent cabinet that enabled it.
“We need to get some real leadership back before the school gets fed-up and shuts the SGO down,” Clewell said. “If elected, I hope to spend the rest of the year focused on teaching everyone how to recruit, manage, and maintain a well-oiled, fully-functional organization.”
Clewell has an associate degree in business management technology and is currently working on a bachelor’s of computer technology. He is chairman of the website committee of the Guilford Lake Civic Association, which he claims has given him invaluable insight into leading a group.
Clewell’s opponent is Evelyn Spence, an Early Childhood Education major and Secretary of the SGO. She has been fulfilling the duties of President and Vice-President since the seats were vacated. Attempts to contact Spence to learn her intentions as SGO president were unsuccessful.
For the position of Vice-President, Charles Miller, a horticulture major, wants to improve “follow-through” and accountability among officers. An enthusiastic team-player, Miller has ideas to start a KSU-Salem pool team that will compete against other campuses after becoming a member of the American Pool Association (APA).
As Vice-President of the SGO, I will do whatever it takes to get things done, and in a timely way. I hope to get a KSU APA club going by next year,” Miller declared.
Christina Brown is rivalling Miller for Vice-President. Attempts to contact Brown for an interview for this article were unsuccessful.
Ballots will be available at the reception desk on Nov. 4 and 5, all day. Officeholders will have the power to influence the dispersal of funds that will directly affect KSU-Salem students.
