Of the 12 candidates competing for campus wide offices — president, vice president, University Court and Union Governing Board — in the upcoming Student Government elections, five are racial minorities.
While the University is 14 percent minority, the campus wide election ballot boasts nearly 42 percent in minority candidates.
Jenny Byrd, Student Government vice resident, said the current Student Government — executive staff, Senate and University Court — is about 17 percent minority.
Jonathan Harb, presidential candidate with “L.S.YOU” who is Arab, said he thinks Student Government has historically been lacking in minority participation.
“Student Government has traditionally not had many minorities,” he said. “People traditionally go where people have the same background, someone you can relate to.”
Hessam Parzivand, an Arab running for Secretary of the College of Business with “Making it Happen,” said that the appearance of Student Government could be what is discouraging potential minority candidates.
“The top of each major ticket is white,” he said.
Franklin, a black candidate for University Court with “Making It Happen,” said he thinks there is an incorrect perception about Student Government.
“A lot of minorities may not think they have a position they can fill in Student Government,” he said. “A lot of people think it’s a closed off organization and they don’t realize it’s open to anyone.”
Hendricks said the problem does not rest with Student Government, but instead with campus recruitment.
“If there aren’t minorities on campus, there will be a smaller number of minorities involved,” she said.
Franklin said that being a minority candidate is no different from any other candidate.
“It’s a possible hurdle, because of the fact society hasn’t advanced enough to look past color lines all the time,” he said. “But because people don’t see faces on the push card, they just see issues and hopefully the issues will speak for themselves.”
Parzivand said he realized his name is distinguishable on the ballot.
“I don’t want to say people are going to be racist but it’s possible and could have an impact,” he said.
Courtney Rawls, a black candidate for Union Governing Board with “In Focus” said tickets seek minorities.
“Some people ask minorities to be on the ticket just because they want to diversify their ticket,” she said.
Harb said minority candidates attract a different type of voter.
“If there is any hindrance, I don’t think it would be flat out obvious,” he said. “It’s taboo now.”
Harb said that as a minority he will be able to offer things other non-minority candidates could not.
“A minority can bring something new to the table,” he said. “I think I represent all the students.”
Franklin said he feels a minority would be able to look at problems from a different perspective.
“I can go to the student who isn’t traditionally reached and reach them,” he said.
Parzivand said that appealing to minority students is important for Student Government.
“It’s an issue of concern and we need to work hard to bring more minorities to the polls,” he said.