2008 Woodie Awards
USG campaign not without controversy
By: Kristen Vasas
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: Campus
Undergraduate Student Government presidential candidates knew they would have to spend a week anticipating the results of this year's election. But they didn't know they would be left in suspense for a day longer than expected.
The delay was due to candidate concerns regarding the Rock the USG Vote '08 event and the Waynick and Mutgi for USG '08 organization that hosted and sponsored the event.
Rock the USG Vote '08, which was held in the Union Multipurpose room last Wednesday, gave students the chance to meet all presidential and vice-presidential candidates while enjoying free food, drinks and music.
According to USG Chief Administrator Ashley Douglas, a formal complaint was e-mailed to her last Friday by Jarell Potts and Jeremy Lehman addressing a number of concerns that were raised after the candidates attended the Rock the Vote event.
The first concern was centered around the assumption that Waynick and Mutgi made claims denying any participation in Waynick and Mutgi for USG '08, although their names were included in the organization's title.
Once Douglas was given a copy of the organization's handbill along with the event titles advertisement, it was found the two did not share the same color scheme or design. As a result, the Chief Administrator and the Procedures and Appeals Board decided there was no connection between the two.
The second concern involved the Student Budget Committee annual funding request made by Waynick and Mutgi for USG '08 along with a request for spot funding and Coca-Cola funding.
The concern was brought up in light of the fact that SBC funding comes from the student body and was being used to further the advancement of a particular campaign, Douglas said.
"While the organization did receive $450, the money came from Coca-Cola funding and not SBC funding," she said. "The organization also received donations from those entertaining the event."
Waynick's involvement with SBC was also brought up as a concern by opposing candidates.
The delay was due to candidate concerns regarding the Rock the USG Vote '08 event and the Waynick and Mutgi for USG '08 organization that hosted and sponsored the event.
Rock the USG Vote '08, which was held in the Union Multipurpose room last Wednesday, gave students the chance to meet all presidential and vice-presidential candidates while enjoying free food, drinks and music.
According to USG Chief Administrator Ashley Douglas, a formal complaint was e-mailed to her last Friday by Jarell Potts and Jeremy Lehman addressing a number of concerns that were raised after the candidates attended the Rock the Vote event.
The first concern was centered around the assumption that Waynick and Mutgi made claims denying any participation in Waynick and Mutgi for USG '08, although their names were included in the organization's title.
Once Douglas was given a copy of the organization's handbill along with the event titles advertisement, it was found the two did not share the same color scheme or design. As a result, the Chief Administrator and the Procedures and Appeals Board decided there was no connection between the two.
The second concern involved the Student Budget Committee annual funding request made by Waynick and Mutgi for USG '08 along with a request for spot funding and Coca-Cola funding.
The concern was brought up in light of the fact that SBC funding comes from the student body and was being used to further the advancement of a particular campaign, Douglas said.
"While the organization did receive $450, the money came from Coca-Cola funding and not SBC funding," she said. "The organization also received donations from those entertaining the event."
Waynick's involvement with SBC was also brought up as a concern by opposing candidates.
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