Early next week, the Student Assembly will hold an internal election to select a vice president to replace Rukmini Sichitiu '95, who took over as Assembly president when Danielle Moore '95 resigned in November.
At this point, most Assembly members are reluctant to name themselves as candidates. Assembly member Brandon del Pozo '96 is the only member who has voiced an interest in running.
He said there is a "strong chance" he will run, but said he will not make his final decision until after the Assembly's retreat on Saturday.
Del Pozo said he is contemplating running for vice president because he is "hoping to turn Assembly around," but added that he has reservations because "the rewards aren't that great for the time you put in."
Assembly member and Class of 1998 Vice President Tom Franks said he was "pretty sure" he was going to run.
"It seems like people on campus are looking for a change in the Assembly," he said. He said electing a member of the freshman class would be a good place to start.
Sichitiu said the new vice president needs to have experience and be willing to make a large time commitment -- she cited her own experience on the Assembly, which included serving as secretary and chairing four committees.
According to the Assembly constitution, when the vice president is elevated to president, any voting member of the Assembly can run for the position. The candidate who receives the majority vote becomes vice president.
The constitution calls for the election to be held within the first two weeks of the term.
Sichitiu said she hopes candidates would "reflect on the experience they have had on the Assembly that would allow them to perform in that position."
"I would expect this is their one commitment," she said.
She said the impact of the new vice president would depend on the individual elected.
"You always elect an individual with specific ideas," she said. "No one represents all students, they only represent themselves with their own ideas."
But because the vice president will not be elected by the entire student body, Sichitiu said her views will be more representative of those of the students.
"I was voted in and the ideas I presented are the ones the students want," Sichitiu said.
Sichitiu said she thinks the Assembly will be able to rebound from the turmoil surrounding Moore's resignation.
"I am very hopeful," she said. "It's clear to me that spirit of the people who serve on the Assembly has changed to one that is positive and very much in the direction in which I want to lead."
But del Pozo said he was less certain.
"This is a precarious time for the Assembly in terms of legitimacy, public perception and the budget," he said.
