Aaron Limonthas '12, who served as the 2010 Summer term student body president, announced his intent to run as a write-in candidate for student body president in an interview with The Dartmouth just after midnight Monday morning.
Max Yoeli '12, who announced his candidacy for student body president on March 31, is the only candidate who will appear on the official slate. Amrita Sankar '12 filed a change in her candidacy from student body president to student body vice president with the Elections Planning and Advisory Committee on Saturday, and Will Hix '12 suspended his presidential campaign Sunday evening.
Limonthas said he was late to enter the race because he was initially unsure about his ability to run an effective campaign while off campus this term. Limonthas, who said he is currently taking an off-term to "relax and spend time with his family," made the decision after conferring with friends on campus and receiving confirmation from EPAC Chair Harry Enten '11 that he is allowed to campaign.
"One of the big things circling my debate about whether or not I should run again is where my interests lie," Limonthas said. "I'm interested in making sure everyone enjoys Dartmouth."
Limonthas said he plans to address issues surrounding alcohol, gender issues and the minority community.
"People talk about the Dartmouth experience but it's so different for everyone and I want to tap into as many of these experiences as I can," he said.
Limonthas who is from Houston, Texas, and is majoring in sociology is a linebacker on the football team and president of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, he said. He is also an undergraduate advisor, has his own radio show, is the historian of the College's National Association for the Advancement of Colored People chapter and is a member of the African American Society.
Limonthas became active in Student Assembly during his sophomore winter and has served as Swim Dock Committee Chair since his Summer term presidency.
Yoeli declined to comment regarding what distinguishes his candidacy from Limonthas' until he becomes more aware of his opponent's platform.
"I'm excited for a vigorous campaign," Yoeli said.
Sankar will now run against Brian Holekamp '12 for student body vice president, Sankar said in an interview with The Dartmouth.
"Upon a lot of self reflection due to a change in personal circumstances, I think I would be better able to manage the duties and responsibilities of the vice president as opposed to the president," Sankar said.
Vice presidential duties include leading the Membership and Internal Affairs Committee, running General Assembly meetings and overseeing the Assembly's budget, according to Sankar, who said she is excited to begin campaigning.
Holekamp said he favors expanding the overall power and budget of the Assembly.
"I think it makes sense to put money into the hands of people it is going to benefit," he said in an interview with The Dartmouth. "I have no big, overarching ideas that's probably the only one."
Holekamp said he "looks forward" to running against Sankar and that he is not endorsing either student body presidential candidate at this time.
Hix ended his campaign after EPAC a five-person appointed committee unanimously decided to uphold its eligibility requirement that bans students who have been suspended from running for president and vice president on Sunday evening, Enten said in an interview with The Dartmouth.
After Hix's amendment opposing the eligibility requirement was voted down, 18-7, by 25 students at a General Assembly meeting last Tuesday, thereby sustaining EPAC's eligibility requirement, Hix met with Associate Dean of the College for Campus Life April Thompson to challenge the decision on Thursday.
Thompson brought the issue to College administrators, who decided to not intervene with EPAC's ruling.
"After reviewing the matter, the administration has decided not to substitute its judgment for that of the EPAC or the Student Assembly," acting Dean of the College Sylvia Spears said in an email to EPAC and obtained by The Dartmouth. "Ultimately, this is a student self-governance issue that has been addressed through the student governance processes."
Hix said the not to overturn EPAC's decision was an effort by the administration and the Assembly to "pass the buck."
Although Hix has suspended his candidacy for the time being, he said he has not ruled out running as a write-in candidate.
"If I have a credible belief that could be supported by someone on EPAC or in [the Assembly] that success with a write-in campaign would lead to my election, I might be interested in running a write-in campaign," Hix said. "I don't think it's necessarily out of the question."
Any student who is ineligible to run with his or her name on the ballot is also ineligible to run as a write-in, according to Enten.
The Dartmouth cancelled its scheduled presidential and vice presidential debate on Sunday after vice presidential candidate Holekamp said he could not attend due to a prior engagement.
There are no penalties for candidates who are absent from debates, according to Enten.
The Inter-Fraternity Council also cancelled its debate, scheduled for Monday evening, according to IFC President Kevin Niparko '12.
Niparko is a member of The Dartmouth Senior Staff.
