By Emerson Clarridge
In the opening salvo of the University’s often-contentious student government election season, four students yesterday announced they would run for the body’s top position.
Seniors Nathan Yadgar, Kathleen Hunker and Joe Napoli, and junior Peter DiSilvio, declared their candidacy for president at a meeting of the SGA’s election commission.
The University has misplaced budget priorities and has failed to consult students on matters that concern them, DiSilvio said.
“How about not needing a canoe to get to class instead of hand scanners over at the Netherlands,” DiSilvio said, referring to the heavy rains that crippled the University’s drainage system and flooded student rooms in October.
DiSivio criticized University President Stuart Rabinowitz for being out of touch with students.
“He doesn’t find out something is wrong until it’s already done,” he said.
This year’s election marks the first time students will vote exclusively online. They will use Blackboard, the University’s online information system. The election will be held April 26 and 27.
All of the candidates said they were wary that the election would be filled with glitches and the new voting method would cause problems.
“I had some questions. We need to be sure no one can hack in,” Yadgar said.
Hunker praised Rabinowitz for funding the renovation of academic buildings on campus. She said she was disappointed that the University did not consult students before announcing last month that the Netherlands dorm would house only freshmen next year.
“Most of the problem is with middle level [administrators],” she said.
Napoli said the University seems fractured, and pledged to bring the disparate student groups together.
“I want to make Hofstra feel more like a community,” he said.
Napoli said he was tired of the infighting that has consumed SGA meetings. The election rules took three months to approve and were finalized less than a day before yesterday’s announcement.
The election commission will sponsor two debates on April 5 and April 26.
Candidates fill out nomination forms at yesterday’s event. The election will be held April 26 and 27.