Spring Break
Lone presidential ticket to run for Student Senate
French, Charlier uncontested in race
Mark Schaaf
Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Campus News
By Mark Schaaf
schaafmw@uwec.edu
The Student Senate elections will go on as planned next week, but if it feels a little empty, well, it is.
Senior Ray French and freshman Meghan Charlier are the only names that will adorn the top of the ballot in next week's election, making it the first uncontested presidential election in recent history.
No records are kept regarding the number of instances it has occurred, but it has not happened in at least the last 15 years, Student Senate program assistant Colleen Bader said.
While French and current Senate President Chris Wagner said they are relatively unconcerned about the ramifications of an uncontested election, other senators had a different take.
Senator Aaron Olson, who served as president before Wagner, said it is a troubling sign for the Student Senate.
"The problem is that the organization is on a downward trend," Olson said. "So much so that when a viable candidate like Ray French takes up the flag, no one is going to challenge."
But French said it was a "rebuilding year," and he expects a much more contentious Senate when the 51st session begins.
"I've heard it called a failure of the organization," French said. "But this was kind of an off year for the university as a whole. There wasn't a whole lot of controversy; there wasn't a lot of reason to get involved with Student Senate. This was an adjustment year. We're rebuilding the organization."
Typically there is at least one "Senate" ticket, consisting of current student senators, and a "housing" ticket, which has included RAs or other students heavily involved with housing and residence life.
Last year, there were three presidential tickets, with the winners - Wagner and current Vice President Chris Nielson - a "split ticket." Wagner represented housing and Nielson was a student senator.
But Wagner has come under a steady stream of criticism since taking office, and Olson said potential candidates should take notice.
schaafmw@uwec.edu
The Student Senate elections will go on as planned next week, but if it feels a little empty, well, it is.
Senior Ray French and freshman Meghan Charlier are the only names that will adorn the top of the ballot in next week's election, making it the first uncontested presidential election in recent history.
No records are kept regarding the number of instances it has occurred, but it has not happened in at least the last 15 years, Student Senate program assistant Colleen Bader said.
While French and current Senate President Chris Wagner said they are relatively unconcerned about the ramifications of an uncontested election, other senators had a different take.
Senator Aaron Olson, who served as president before Wagner, said it is a troubling sign for the Student Senate.
"The problem is that the organization is on a downward trend," Olson said. "So much so that when a viable candidate like Ray French takes up the flag, no one is going to challenge."
But French said it was a "rebuilding year," and he expects a much more contentious Senate when the 51st session begins.
"I've heard it called a failure of the organization," French said. "But this was kind of an off year for the university as a whole. There wasn't a whole lot of controversy; there wasn't a lot of reason to get involved with Student Senate. This was an adjustment year. We're rebuilding the organization."
Typically there is at least one "Senate" ticket, consisting of current student senators, and a "housing" ticket, which has included RAs or other students heavily involved with housing and residence life.
Last year, there were three presidential tickets, with the winners - Wagner and current Vice President Chris Nielson - a "split ticket." Wagner represented housing and Nielson was a student senator.
But Wagner has come under a steady stream of criticism since taking office, and Olson said potential candidates should take notice.
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