Grade level plays role in choosing running mates

Most people would agree that issues and ideas of a candidate should be the deciding factor in who gets elected in any campaign. In student government elections, oftentimes who you know plays as much of a role as what you want to do. Choosing a president and vice president from different classes can help a ticket spread its appeal to more students. Ryan Becker, a junior presidential candidate from Zahm Hall. said Nikki McCord's sophomore status played a role in selecting her as his vice president. "It definitely played a part, "he said. "She can bring in a whole different group of people. I know the juniors better from class and class government and she knows the sophomores better. More people can say. 'I know those people.' Having a sophomore is a great benefit." Current student body vice president and candidate for president Brooke Norton said the appeal of split ticket goes beyond just the election. Norton, who was elected to her post as a junior, said the different experiences of Brian O'Donoghue, a senior, and herself make their administration more effective. "The ticket is more representative of the student body,"Norton said. "In office this year, it helped us because we were going through different things. I could relate to the younger students because I had just been there while Brian could better relate to the seniors." O'Donoghue echoed Norton's sentiments. "My perspective was often very different from Brooke's," he said. "The perspective of a senior is very different from