The elections for the upcoming school year are next week, and the most closely watched, as well as contested, race so far has been the sophomore class president position. Current president Gene Martin and Social Chair and challenger Seth Nason came together for an interview to shed some light on the issues surrounding this election.
DS: Gene, as the incumbent President of the freshman class, let’s start with you. What do you think were your greatest successes this year as president, and how do you think you can parlay that into success next year?
GM: I definitely think that the most important thing I did this year was run for President. Talking to people who are or were involved in their classes told me that First-Year and Second-Year Presidents don’t do much. I was told to just wait until Junior or Senior year. I was put back by this, since I thought to waste time two years would be a detriment. I decided to start early by beginning to fundraise money and get recognition for the class. I also started getting general membership rather than just he traditional four people. We have been getting involved with things on campus, the last being the student organization competition banner contest for PSU’s 135th Birthday. All of this has given me experience, opened up doors around campus, and people to talk to regarding the class. The Class Officers, along with myself, are looking forward to continuing our hard work and doing a ton of fun events. These will include doing some fundraising and participation in Welcome Week, and looking at doing some Red Sox events.
DS: Seth, now to you. What do you see as a shortcoming regarding this year’s presidency, and how would you correct that next year?
SN: First of all, I see a shortage in actual communication with constituents. We have tried through many different avenues, including announcements on the portal. We also started a portal group with the assistance of Dean Keefe, Jenn White and Joe Long. We have tried to get the word out, but we have not done enough. We should utilize suite box announcements, poll the entire class, hear person-to-person opinions, etc. I have met some opposition in this area from student senators who say that this is part of the class representative’s job. This, in my opinion, is not accurate. Class officers should be actively involved with Senate by writing resolutions and sending e-mails and good old-fashioned mail. We should be contacting as much of the class as possible with all available methods to ensure that we hear everyone’s opinion. In regards to the fundraisers President Martin spoke about, Treasurer Panarelli asked the class Fund-raising Chair Alli Serrani and I to formulate a list of the fund-raisers for next year, with a minimum requirement of two per month. I hope to implement all of them, and raise as much money as possible. With this money I would hope to sponsor activities for the class in years prior to senior year. This will create better bonds between class members, to make senior year that much more memorable.
GM: Unfortunately, Social Chair Nason was not part of the Executive Board when I asked students for feedback. We did the polling and surveys at the beginning of the semester. We look to implement those sophomore year, when we have the funds. That list includes a fundraiser at the Speedway, where we will make $2,000 this September. Our advisor Joe Long is helping a lot with that. The rest of the Executive Board and myself might not be on the green with Mr. Nason, but we are working for the class instead and speak to constituents before and after classes as well as converse with them at mealtimes.
DS: Seth, you’ve said one of your better strengths is that you know many members of your class by being visible and accessible. How does this represent your potential constituents better than Gene’s method(s)?
SN: This is my strategy: Since my father was a police chief and I have other family members in visible careers, I have learned that public relations is all about being visible. It’s about being up-front, honest, and open with the people. I feel that in life, as well as this race, you have to be out there. I feel that while President Martin’s method gets him out there, people need more than the occasional dinner or “passing-by” contact. They need serious, honest debate and communication to really, truly, get to know their class officers and where the class is going.
DS: Gene, could you respond to Seth’s comments, as to the cost-benefit analysis of your approach.
GM: I would not say it is the occasional classroom contact or dinner conversation. We always talk to constituents, but we are always working for the class. We just completed a fundraiser where whichever class officer or chair receives the most amount of money, he or she will receive a pie in the face. I won, and am more than happy to do this for my class. We raised a good amount of money in a week. We are looking to do this annually, though hopefully, I won’t be getting pied every year. I talk to everyone, but the action can be more effective. If I get re-elected, I am planning to put on a band or a comedian performance next fall for the class. We also have many fundraisers planned next month.
DS: Seth, could you expound a little on why you chose Tim Sacco as your running mate?
SN: Well, I did not actually choose him, he approached me to run for VP as my running mate. I agreed, because we hold the same social ideals; namely, to socialize and hear constituents. I also feel he is a stand-up guy, very sociable, kind, and easy to get along with. He also represents those I can’t. He knows the people I don’t, and therefore together we can communicate with all of our classmates.
DS: Gene, if I may ask, why are you running alone?
GM: The reason why I ran alone is that I don’t feel the need to cover any particular area. I am a friendly guy who touches on all of those constituency groups, and I don’t need someone to cover all of those groups. I do a good job of knowing many first-years, and they know me.
DS: Lastly, should you win, how would you incorporate some of your opponent’s ideas, if at all?
SN: I very much like President Martin’s ideas about performers and ice cream socials and the International Speedway idea. It’s great, and I will be there as President or not. I think that, yes, I would keep his style in running meetings, where we invite constituents, and have a cabinet to run meetings and facilitate results. It works for the United States’ government, and it should work for ours.
GM: I’m glad he likes my system…I definitely like to hear everyone’s ideas. I would incorporate some of Seth’s ideas, and whether I win or not, I would work for the class, since I will always be a member of the class. I can’t take credit for Seth’s ideas, and if he offers ideas in the future, I would make sure I take them under advisement for the betterment of the class.
Well, freshmen, the views are out there; both candidates are willing to work hard and with others for the betterment of their class. To those who are eligible to vote for either of these young men, the elections are being held online from April 18 to April 20. They are also being held in Prospect Dining Hall and The HUB Pawsway those same days.