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Following interviews with all 10 of the Student Government Association executive candidates, the editorial board members of The Louisville Cardinal have made our endorsements for the top four positions of the 2008 SGA. The Cardinal has decided to endorse not one specific slate, but the individuals who we feel are the most qualified for the positions of President, Executive Vice President, Services Vice President and Academic Vice President. Many students are unaware that it is not necessary to vote for an entire slate. Students may choose the candidates they feel are best for the position regardless of slate affiliation. The Cardinal has chosen the four candidates who not only presented themselves the best, but who also have a strong, defined vision for the future of the University of Louisville.
The Louisville Cardinal endorses Rudy Spencer for the position of SGA President. Even though Spencer is running unopposed, following a brief stint of competition from Matthew Clark, The Cardinal believes that Spencer has a well balanced, cogent platform with many interesting plans for the future of SGA. Initiatives such as podcasting in classes for those who were sick or unable to attend is a lofty goal, but it may work to benefit many in the near future. Spencer is poised, rational and eloquent, and will represent U of L’s student body well.
The Louisville Cardinal endorses Mike Dennis for the position of SGA Executive Vice President. Dennis has a strong basis in both sides of the university atmosphere. Not only has he functioned as a commuter student, working nights at UPS and living off campus, Dennis has also served as a Resident Assistant in the University of Louisville Properties. The Cardinal believes that these experiences have allowed him to garner insight into what U of L students need in order to function and grow, and he will be able to use those experiences to bring the diverged bodies of students together.
The Louisville Cardinal endorses Trevor Joelson for the position of SGA Services Vice President. Joelson impressed The Cardinal with his ideas on how to ameliorate many of the problems on campus today as well as focusing more on students, something that many in student government have failed to do. Many may believe that since Joelson has worked for The Cardinal for the past two years that we are biased in our decision, but this is simply not true. Joelson has proved to us in and out of the office that he is the best candidate for this position. He is experienced in SGA affairs and U of L will benefit from his work.
The Louisville Cardinal endorses Roger Dotsey for the position of SGA Academic Vice President. An involved student, Dotsey has shown that his involvement on campus has given him invaluable connections to not only administrators, but students as well. Dotsey’s concrete ideas for raising four-year graduation rates, offering the chance for students to CLEP out of unneeded classes and for changing priority registration show his determination to help students in need. Poor allocation of SGA funds and inefficient policies were two of the problems Dotsey cited with the current SGA; two that he believes he could fix. The Cardinal feels that if given the chance, Dotsey could begin working at this position tomorrow.
