SGA presidential elections pending investigation
Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 15:34 EST
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The artist that Concerts Committee has tried to get for some time, Common, was announced as the spring concert to Program Board on Monday, Feb. 25. The date for the concert is set for April 3 at 8:30 p.m. in Clowes Memorial Hall. The exterior doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and the concert hall doors will open at 8 p.m.
In a large display of his effects on popular culture, Michael Pollan spoke to two crowds Monday night, one in the Reilly Room and one in a Gallahue lecture hall via closed-circuit television.
Between Fall 2007 and last Monday, Feb. 18, BUPD gave out 3,091 parking tickets. 1129 were to commuters, 818 to residents, 387 to Greek residents, 410 to village residents and 362 were faculty and staff tickets.
No matter what a student’s interests are, there is a career to match them in Public Relations.That was the message of Sonja Popp-Stahly, APR, the keynote speaker at the PR Night on Feb. 27, an event presented by Butler PRSSA. “Hope leads to education, education leads to dignity, dignity leads to hope and hope leads to peace,” said Mariane Pearl in the closing minutes of her speech last Sunday evening in Clowes Memorial Hall.
The topic of her speech as part of the Celebration of Diversity Distinguished Lecture Series was the book Pearl wrote - “A Mighty Heart: The Brave Life and Death of My Husband, Daniel Pearl.” Fiction writer Antonya Nelson read from her most recent work, a short story called “Or Else,” during a visit to Butler’s campus on Feb. 26 as part of the Vivian S. Delbrook Visiting Writers Series.
Nelson is the author of eight fiction works and the winner of several literary awards including the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction and the Heartland Award.
Nelson said she chose to read “Or Else” because her most recent writing is the most interesting material that she has to offer. Music artist Common will be Program Board’s concert guest this semester. It was announced at last Wednesday’s SGA assembly meeting that he will perform at Clowes Hall on April 3. Time of the concert and a date for ticket sales have yet to be announced. The Student Government Association presidential candidates’ campaign platforms differ slightly, but all three emphasize the importance of being the student body’s voice. Students can vote for SGA president beginning at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 3. Are you a Bulldog? If so, get ready to show off some of that Butler pride during the week before spring break (March 4-7) for the first official “Spirit Week.”
The week was planned by a number of organizations around campus, including Parent Programs, Student Affairs, Athletics and Conference and Events Services.
SGA held its election on Monday, but according to a candidate’s (whose identity will remain anonymous) Facebook.com campaign group the results are pending an investigation, and so are "inconclusive."
On the same day as the elections, the Butler commuter listserv received an e-mail written by Kelly Ferriell, a Butler student, from Frank Council’s e-mail address at 12:45 p.m. Ferriell explained that the SGA elections were taking place that day and suggested that the commuters consider a certain candidate for SGA president.
At 8:48 p.m. that day, Council, adviser to the Off-Campus Student Organization and assistant director of PuLSE, sent an e-mail to the commuter listserv explaining that Ferriell’s e-mail was not a candidate endorsement on his behalf.
It appears that there is a connection between the current investigation and Ferriell’s e-mail sent from Council's e-mail address, since that e-mail violated the SGA Presidential Campaign Regulations. These regulations are not listed on the SGA Web page.
This violation is one of multiple violations that the SGA Election Commission is investigating said Andrew B. Jones, SGA vice president of administration.
Ferriell’s e-mail and Council’s response e-mail are listed below:
Subject – SGA President Election - TODAY - voting closes at 6pm
Body – Hi all. Today is SGA Presidential Elections! I hope you have read each candidate's platform. After taking each candidate into consideration, I would recommend you take another look at Ryan Waggoner's campaign. I have personally met with him several times to help him create the Unity Council structure, which includes YOU- Off-Campus students. He has a clear vision to help off-campus students feel more connected to campus, which is a goal I have personally held from day one as Co-President. I strongly support Ryan.
Ultimately, the decision is yours, make sure you vote!!
Voting is open until 6pm tonight (Monday) - You will find the link to vote on the BUMail homepage. You can find the candidates platforms on the SGA website - http://www.butler.edu/sga/
Enjoy the weather!
Kelly Ferriell
Class of 2009
Co-President Off-Campus Student Organization
Subject – Clarification and Apology for today's email posting
Body – In regard to the email sent today to the Off-Campus Student listserv with the subject “SGA President Election - TODAY - voting closes at 6pm”, I’d like to apologize for any confusion as to the message of the email or from where the email originated.
The email was sent to the Off-Campus Student listserv from my computer, Frank Council – Assistant Director in the Programs for Leadership and Service Education (PuLSE) Office and advisor to the Off-Campus Student Organization, on behalf of Kelly Ferriell, Co-President of the Off-Campus Student Organization. As moderator of this listserv, all posting requests come through me to be authorized and sent/not sent to the listserv.
By no means should there be any association with my advisory role with the Off-Campus Student Organization or my authorizing today’s listserv email as the endorsement of any candidate in this year’s SGA Presidential Campaign by me or any staff member of the PuLSE Office. The PuLSE Office acts solely in an advisory role for all candidates involved in student government elections and for the Elections Committee.
I’d also like to apologize for any confusion surrounding the appropriateness of email content that was sent this morning. I was unaware that the email sent to the listserv might be considered a violation of the SGA Presidential Campaign Regulations regarding campaigning and listserv guidelines. It was not my intent to disregard any stated guidelines and regulations listed as part of the Campaign Regulations.
If anyone has concerns or comments, regarding today’s listserv email, that they would like to discuss in more detail, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Frank Council
Advisor to the Off-Campus Student Organization