It’s that time of year again.
With the temperature on the rise outside, the race for spots in the Student Association’s executive branch is heating up as six candidates begin their runs for SA president and executive vice president.
This year’s field of presidential candidates includes GW Peace Forum President Tarek Al-Hariri, SA Sens. Vishal Aswani (SEAS-U), Kevin Kozlowksi (U-At Large) and OG Oyiborhoro. In addition, SA Assistant Vice President for Community Affairs Kyle Boyer and SA Sen. Ted O’Neil (ESIA-U) have declared their candidacy for SA EVP. Candidates still planning for the SA’s two top jobs have until Monday to declare their intentions.
SA Executive Vice President Brand Kroeger, who said he will not seek reelection, said this year’s SA has laid a foundation that the future leaders should expand upon.
“I’ve had a damn good time working for students and I hope Nicole and I will leave something for next year’s SA to build upon,” said Kroeger, a junior.
In contrast to years past, none of the candidates for the SA executive have running mates. Last year, SA President Nicole Capp and SA Sen. Elliot Bell-Krasner (CCAS-U) were the only two students to run as independents in the pool of 10 candidates for the SA executive.
Slates have also been eliminated, a decision which bars SA executive candidates from formally associating with contenders for the SA senate. In 2006, most SA presidential candidates led slates, but last year only two students running for SA president headed up slates.
“I’m ready to work with anyone to get elected,” said Kozlowski, who ran for the senate with the GW Student Union slate last year, but is running as an independent.
Kozlowski, who announced his candidacy for SA president Tuesday, said he will be running on two pillars – “GW4US” and “GWUnited.” Through these two initiatives, he said he will work to improve the University’s relationship with students and how students are represented in its government.
“Next year we need a student leader who will work hard to continue the progress of Nicole and Brand,” said Kozlowski, a junior. “We need a student leader who will take stances on tough issues that affect the daily lives of students. We need a student leader who will represent all students.”
Oyiborhoro, a junior, said he would help foster multiculturalism and diversity, and expand upon what the SA has already done.
“I’m running to make GW a more diverse place,” Oyiborhoro said during his campaign kick-off on Wednesday afternoon.
Aswani, a junior, said he will also work to expand upon the initiatives of Capp and Kroeger. He said he will advocate for more student rights, a greener GW and a greater emphasis of GW’s minorities.
“What differentiates me from (the other candidates) is I won’t take anything from the University that will hurt students,” said Aswani, who announced his candidacy on Wednesday night. “I will stand up for the students.”
Al-Hariri, a sophomore, agreed that building upon the foundation of Capp and Kroeger is important. He said he plans to further many of the initiatives of this year’s executive, including its efforts to increase the funding for student organizations, if he is elected president.
“I think a lot of candidacies have been run on the basis of ‘the last administration is wrong and we have to start over again,'” said Al-Hariri, who was the first to announce his candidacy for SA president. “I think with Nicole, I think she’s done a really good job. I think she’s done many good things and I am saying we need to add on to what she has done and what the entire administration has done.”
Boyer, who is running for SA EVP, said improving GW’s reputation outside of campus would be an important aspect of his executive vice presidency.
“GW really is a staple of D.C.,” said Boyer, a sophomore. “We have this urban campus that really is the city of D.C., and we need to embrace our role as D.C.’s premier university.”
O’Neil, who is also running for SA EVP, said he will do little things to make big changes at GW.
“O’Neil will focus his campaign on making practical changes that will have profound effects and benefits for the GW community,” according to a news release.
The general election for positions in the SA, Program Board and Marvin Center Governing Board will be held on Feb. 27 and 28. A runoff election will occur on March 12 and March 13, if necessary.
