By Toma Lynn Smith

Potential University of Louisville student voters may know the two candidates running for Student Government Association President better as “Rudy” and “Pedro.”

Rudolph Spencer, current SGA Services Vice-President, is competing against Matthew Clark for the 2008-2009 position of SGA President.

Spencer and Clark are competing for what SGA advisor Michael D. Anthony calls a full-time job in addition to being a college student.

Anthony stressed the degree of importance the job carries with it, the president will speak as the representative of the student body to the university administration.

“This is what people need to realize is on the line. [The president] is a full voting member of the Board of Trustees,” Anthony said.

The SGA President is the only student given membership on this board, comprised mainly of university administrators and alumni who meet monthly to discuss university policy and business. ?

In addition to being the students’ leader, the SGA president will receive in-state tuition and $360 per month for their duties.?

The importance of the job is not taken lightly by either of the candidates.

“My biggest fear is that I won’t be able to accurately articulate the voice of the student body in the role of Student Government Association President,” said Spencer, a junior political science major.

Clark said he decided to run because of the problems he sees on campus and the potential he thinks SGA has to make tremendous changes in certain areas.

“I found out what the potential of the student government was when I learned of their $600,000 budget and more importantly a structure to exercise tremendous referent authority,” Clark, a sophomore majoring in English, said.

“If student government actually came out and made stands on issues like tuition, something actually would happen because of the mechanism in place.”

Clark said he has a formidable race ahead of him, largely because of his opponents’ record. Spencer’s record of student activities includes membership in the Sigma Chi fraternity and the Harlan, McConnell and Porter U of L Scholar programs.

“Mr. Spencer is politically experienced and quite competent, which makes a landslide in this race very much possible. I consider this a very contestable race though; we’re running two very different types of campaigns,” said Clark. ?

Clark’s campaign includes using www.youtube.com where students can download the video “yourmomrocksyoutube” which promotes Clark’s candidacy.?

Clark said it is time for someone to realize the full potential SGA has for change.

“It’s time for someone new to think outside the box, not because student government?doesn’t have potential or because it doesn’t have the funding or resources to make a difference, but because the perspective is stagnating.”

Regardless of the victor in the upcoming election, Anthony was quick to stress how important the position is, reminding voters and candidates that the next president “will represent the 21,000-22,000 students at the University of Louisville.”