The Black Student Union has delayed its elections again, this time postponing them until next fall.
The BSU was supposed to hold elections April 24, but discrepancies in the student organization’s constitution surfaced, disqualifying two of the vice-presidential candidates. Barry Whittington, biology senior, and Robert Williams, marketing junior, did not previously serve on the BSU’s executive board as required by the organization’s constitutional bylaws.
Winton Anderson, communication studies sophomore, also dropped out of the election, citing problems with his fall schedule. Anderson was running unopposed for the presidential office.
The BSU was supposed to hold its election debates Monday in the Student Union, providing candidates a chance to address concerns about the student organization. Voting was supposed to be held today.
Derrick Petit, political science and history senior, said Ada Goodly, BSU president, held an emergency meeting of the board Wednesday to discuss suspending the article in the BSU’s constitution concerning candidacy requirements.
Andrew LaViscount, chairman for the BSU elections committee, said there were problems with the BSU not having a proper adviser. He said he was not sure why Aubrey Turner, BSU adviser, could not advise the student organization.
LaViscount said the BSU will hold elections in the fall.
“There hasn’t been any talk of how the election process will proceed in the fall,” he said.
Petit said Goodly expects to graduate this semester. He said he is not sure who will preside over the BSU after she graduates.
Petit said Chaunda Allen, Office of Multicultural Affairs director, recommended the BSU hold a constitutional convention before the fall semester.
Ashley Starling, mass communication junior and BSU member, said she didn’t know the debates were canceled before she arrived at the Vieux Carre Room, where the event was supposed to be held.
“I just wish they would have better publicized that they were canceled instead of just not having them,” she said.
Glenn Stewart, mechanical engineering sophomore, said he was looking forward to listening to the candidates speak about their plans for the student organization.
Petit said elections have not been delayed this late in the semester since he joined the BSU three years ago.
“I think the Black Student Union – instead of just trying to move on – needs to talk it out,” he said. “If the BSU doesn’t, it’s time we stop, deal with the issues and progress.”
Turner, Goodly and Allen did not return repeated phone calls by press time.
—–Contact Angelle Barbazon [email protected]