Zwack and Hunt Respond to Election Drama
We the Editors asked the two GM candidates for comments regarding the current election situation. Mr. Hunt has posted his Judicial Board appeal online, which he says speaks for itself. Mr. Zwack’s comments are below.
RPI Students,
It’s been a long, stressful, and exhaustive few weeks (and counting). I am thankful for the support of my family, friends, and supporters in my campaign for Grand Marshal.
To address doubts in one broad stroke, I have maintained an honest campaign and will continue to do so. I invite any concerns which question that to be directed to me personally at the contact information below.
It is encouraging to see so much student involvement in this important election, but I am concerned with the recent negativity among all of us. The RPI Student Body must recognize each of our own differing views; being a community of anger and mistrust is no community. Together we need to identify issues so we can positively address them. I’ve long been a believer that trust and respect goes a long way to solving problems and building relationships.
As this election process continues, I only ask that you stay involved, informed, and positive while we as students decide on our elected representation. We’re uniquely fortunate to have the Rensselaer Union, let’s keep its future bright.
Michael Zwack ‘11
zwackm@rpi.edu
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I realize that you are just providing a link, but it would be convenient if you could post the text of Mr. Hunt’s response also… since it’s kind of annoying for us have to download an entire word document in order to read it…
I agree with my fellow Chris. Especially because Mediafire is terrible.
I too agreed with Chris, until I realized that the entire document was basically Hunt’s response; I’ve pasted the opening and closing below, but encourage anyone interested to skim it:
“On Final Election day, 4/22/2010, I had no belief that I was or would be in violation of any parts of the RNE GM Week Handbook during and upon the conclusion of my final campaign rally in the CII plaza. I had prepared hard for the rally and had submitted all expense forms accurately and truthfully. I never thought for a second – there seemed to be no grounds – for RNE to do such a thing as nullify the election results as it did. I will now prove why each accusation in Decision 12 is false and made up. RNE did not ask for any of my input or any explanations of my side of the story whatsoever before they made Decision 12. RNE heard only the claims of the Vector Party in coming to Decision 12. Due process would say both sides of the story should be acquired before making such an important decision.
I will respond to Decision 12 categorically based on the five sections of accused violations:
… [see full text for individual responses]…
As per the Institute Hearing Procedures, the final article, Article 21, states: “The standard of proof in judicial proceedings is a preponderance of the evidence (51%).”
I believe I have factually and accurately refuted just about everything in the five violations purported in Decision 12; certainly more than 51%. The only portion that I am actually guilty of is section 5, wherein I left the plots up in the Union. Even so, my negligence on Election Day was minimal and certainly did not affect the election results. There was no malice on my part towards any candidates or the RNE. I simply organized an effective campaign at which point RNE has attempted to unfairly and illegitimately tear down my campaign.
Furthermore, moving this election to May 4th will do no one any good. Candidate Zwack will certainly lose votes to me if there is another election as students are fed up with RNE (as I can prove with many student letter I have collected) and understand that Zwack is the incumbent, thereby attracting the perceived inadequacies and unfairness of RNE. The Poly will cover this situation extensively and there is no way, in my mind, that Zwack will have a better chance on May 4th than he did on April 22nd. If I did in fact win the election on 4/22, we are only delaying the inevitable to no one’s benefit.
The Students Senate will also have no Grand Marshal to chair it and will not hold meetings until a GM is elected, thereby leaving the students with no representative body until at the very least, after May 4th. This election should not have been stretched in the first place, as Violation 11 was uanaimously overturned by the Judicial Board, nullifying the primary results and I believe proving RNE’s bias and lack of rational fairness. Carrying on this election until May 4th will force Zwack and I to spend more money and more time (better spent on class work), and will unfairly alienate the students that both candidates pledge to protect.
Therefore, I am asking the Judicial Board to overturn Decision 12 and release the election results immediately. This is the only fair and logical end to this ridiculous ruling by the RNE.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Hunt”
Let me help out all who are too lazy to go to Mediafire. This is a direct link to download a PDF version of the Hunt’s appeal from my personal site: Hunt JBoard Appeal 4/26
I believe he is highly justified in all of his remarks. I can not help but feel that RNE has been treating him unfairly throughout the election process.
Please take 5 minutes to skim the document.