Martin O'Sullivan/The Mirror

The Stag Bus is late again. My friends didn’t get let off to the beach. The concerts never have good artists.

If FUSA has the power to affect change on so many things that impact the daily lives of Fairfield students, the FUSA election seems like it would be the most popular event of the year. But according to the applications sent in last Friday though, that is not the case.

This year there is only one candidate running for FUSA president, the incumbent Rob Vogel ‘13, and one for vice president, Mark Evans ‘13. As a result, the primary debate scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 15 has been cancelled. In its place, however, candidates have the opportunity to give a one-minute platform statement at a later date to be announced.

“I applied expecting to have some competition, and the competitiveness inside me was looking forward to doing everything I could to prove myself as the best candidate,” said Evans. “It’s surprising for sure.”

According to Matt Dinnan, Associate Dean of University Activities, sometimes four or five candidates run for president, while other times there is only one candidate for the position.

In regards to Senate, five representatives will be elected per class. Currently, there are eight candidates for the Class of 2015, seven candidates for the Class of 2014 and three candidates for the Class of 2013. Because the Class of 2013 is two candidates short of what is needed, write-in candidates will most likely be elected.

Karen Donoghue, Dean of Students and FUSA President of  2002-2003 explained the dedication and role of FUSA members. “Both now and when I was FUSA president, the candidates have been dedicated to making the institution a better place. They have pride in the institution and want to work with administration to create a good experience for all students,” said Donoghue.

According to FUSA members and faculty advisors, FUSA is a big time commitment and due to the demanding schedule in addition to class work, students may have avoided participating in FUSA.

“It appears that many people do not have the time to balance the important role of FUSA president and their academic, job, and extra-curricular  experiences,” said Donoghue. “Therefore, the position is only attractive to a certain amount of student leaders who know they can handle all of the responsibility.”

Dan Bruno ’13, current FUSA Vice President reminds the student body of the importance of voting in the election and the influence that student participation can create. “I want to tell the student body to vote! It’s so important and it will change FUSA and what happens on campus by the more people who voice their opinions and vote,” said Bruno.

The FUSA election is still scheduled for Feb. 28 in the Barone Campus Center where students will vote for president, vice president and their class senators.

“I think the student body should take this process as an opportunity to get to know the faces of who will be major parts of FUSA in the future,” said Evans when discussing the election process. “We are an association for the students.”

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