Kirkwood unveils ‘promise’ at rally

It might be “green,” but the Kirkwood ticket kicked off its IU Student Association campaign with a bang.

At an eco-themed rally Feb. 2 at the Indiana Memorial Union, the ticked announced its candidacy and introduced its platform, “The Kirkwood Promise.”

“Tonight is really about getting people excited about the student government,” sophomore Justin Kingsolver said.

Kingsolver is Kirkwood’s student body presidential candidate.

Sophomore Chris Bailey, Kirkwood’s candidate for chief of staff, said the structure of the Kirkwood Executive Board will set the ticket apart from opponents. The board will include seven members rather than the traditional five.

Those attending the event seemed excited about the campaign’s fresh outlook.

Kingsolver said that some campaigns “say a lot that they really don’t mean.”

He said the title “Kirkwood Promise” highlights the ticket’s pledge to follow through on its campaign platform.

“We are organized, we are on the move, and starting tomorrow we are hitting the ground running,” Kirkwood Student Body Treasurer candidate Bailey Gerber said.

Kirkwood has added positions for chiefs of internal and external affairs that would be filled by candidates junior Laurence Cormier and sophomore Sally Phillips, respectively.

Kingsolver explained that while these new positions already exist within the IUSA administration, it was important for them to be included on the ticket because Kirkwood expects to have a large campaign staff.

“We’re trying to get as many people involved as possible,” Kingsolver said.

Sophomore Matt Ahlberg will run for vice president for administration, while sophomore Jenna Fischer is Kirkwood’s candidate for vice president for congress.

Gerber, who is a freshman, said the general youth of the ticket is an advantage and doesn’t indicate inexperience.

The ticket brings experience from other leadership positions and schools, Gerber said.

“This will be the first time in IU’s history where the freshman class, or the class of 2013, will be represented in IUSA,” Gerber said.