Chris Odinet and Christen Heaton announced their campaign for Student Government president and vice president at a Monday press conference in the Journalism Building.
The campaign – titled “The Difference” – will focus on implementing improved scheduling processes and communication with elected officials, Odinet and Heaton said.
Heaton, biological sciences junior, spoke first to the mainly SG crowd, describing Odinet as the “single hardest-working individual” she has met at the University.
“There’s a difference between knowing the path and walking it,” Heaton said. “This is less about government and more about students.”
Odinet, political science junior, stressed a “student-driven” and “student-friendly” administration.
“This is more about its constituents and less about itself,” he said. “We look to leave a legacy.”
Odinet’s announcement came on the heels of a Jan. 23 University Court ruling that revised the Election Code and allows for open political discussion before the active three-week campaign period. According to the ruling, candidates are allowed to discuss their campaigns but not yet solicit votes.
Odinet and Heaton said they began planning their campaign in the summer and have taken advantage of the U-Court’s ruling.
U-Court Associate Justice Matthew Butler told The Daily Reveille on Jan. 26 he thinks the ruling will lead to more positive and thoughtful campaigns.
“This will allow students to make more informed decisions,” Butler said. “If the candidates use their time wisely, students will benefit.”
U-Court Associate Justice Westley Bayas agreed with Butler’s assessment of the time factor.
“The idea is to give these candidates time to figure it out,” Bayas said Jan. 26.
Bayas said he hopes the candidates will use their time to visit student organizations and explore diversity awareness issues.
“They should take their ideas and make them happen,” Bayas said.
 
Contact Amy Brittain at [email protected]