Numerous chalkings and flyers around Grounds yesterday marked the beginning of the University Board of Election's official campaigning and endorsing period.
Many contenders have begun preparations for the March elections, including the five candidates running for Student Council president, who were announced Wednesday by the UBE. The preliminary list indicates all candidates who already have secured a place on the ballot, though others still can be added to the final ballot.
While campaigning was permitted before the UBE's preliminary list of candidates was released, the official campaigning period began yesterday.
Elliot Haspel, Council Religious Affairs Committee chair, said he intends to get feedback from underclassmen over the next couple of weeks.
"I am going to be holding get-togethers in first-year lounges and hold interactive discussions about issues," Haspel said. "I am running a positive campaign and there will be no negative ads -- I feel that I can win on my own merits."
Haspel has chalked, flyered and distributed business cards throughout the early stages of his presidential campaign.
Council Chief of Staff Noah Sullivan has been building his presidential campaign by touching base with students.
"I don't think you're going to get much done chalking and putting up flyers this early in the campaign," Sullivan said. "Basically my strategy at this point is finding a good base for the rest of the campaign and moving from there."
Sullivan added he wants to give students a chance to make an informed decision about the candidates.
Third-year College student Greg Scanlon said he has been trying to run an innovative campaign for Council president, sponsoring a bar night at the Biltmore on Feb. 16.
"The first phase of our campaign has been about getting a feel for non-traditional Student Council voters," Scanlon said. "We want to take on solvable issues, emphasize student self-governance and reform the general tone of Student Council, but it's a marathon, not a sprint -- I'm having a great time."
Council College Rep. Marisa Nelson has taken a more low-key approach.
"I have been trying to meet with lots of different students and I have been getting a lot of ideas about what students think need to be changed," Nelson said. "I think that issues should matter to students. I have generally been trying to just be myself -- I want to be honest about who I am."
Former College Rep. Curtis Ofori also stressed integrity in an interview Wednesday.
"I am going to be open and honest," he said. "It's about the information you get out and informing the electorate."
He said he plans to emphasize the maintenance of self-governance, working with Contracted Independent Organizations and getting more students involved with Council.
Other contested Council races include vice president for organizations and College representative positions.
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