Crimson and Cream ticket exits race after Tuesday debate

Crimson and Cream dropped out of the IU Student Association 2012 election Tuesday night. Hours after the public debate, two members of the former ticket, freshmen Yuqing (Kate) Jiao and Brady Bair formally relinquished their positions in an email to presidential candidate Duane Thompson.

“Basically, I had two of my running mates who all felt the uphill climb was too much for them,” Thompson said.

Thompson said he called Head of Election Commission Evan Farrell and Movement for IUSA presidential candidate junior Kyle Straub to notify them of his decision after 10 p.m. Tuesday.

The Crimson and Cream ticket had turned in their application to the Election Commission two minutes before the 5 p.m. Sunday write-in deadline. As a write-in option on the ballot, its name was not going to be on the ballots for Election Day. The ticket was composed of three freshmen and two juniors.

“I’m glad to get this over with,” Thompson said. “I understand I pushed them to join, and I could never ensure the practicality of our success.”

However, Thompson said he has not given up hope. He plans to join the Movement for IUSA ticket in some capacity.

“Kyle graciously extended his hand for us to work with his ticket,” Thompson said.

Straub said he plans to meet with Thompson and the other members of his ticket who are still interested in getting involved with IUSA this week to discuss their future involvement in more detail.

“I told him I very much respect your effort,” Straub said. “They did bring up some good ideas, like the issues for international student involvement.”

Thompson said he is unsure what his role will be in Movement for IUSA.

“I hope to mesh both of our campaigns and be the greatest source of light as possible on campus,” Thompson said.

Thompson said he still hopes some of the initiatives he discussed at the debate will be incorporated into the new administration, such as using liquid ozone as a cleaning agent, creating vocational opportunities for students, adding more IU logos to campus and adding more seminars about stereotypes and sexual assault.  

These events will not affect the pre-planned schedule the Commission created, Farrell said.

Movement for IUSA completely revamped their campaign Sunday after Crimson and Cream members announced their intent to run.

“We have been on a rollercoaster the last week,” Straub said.

Movement members plan to continue explaining their initiatives during all other campaign efforts before the election, rather than basic information about IUSA. 

“Honestly, at this point, we’re going to run off that energy,” Straub said. “It lit a fire under us to prove ourselves to campus.” 

Debate highlights

With the flip of a coin, Straub was chosen to make opening remarks on behalf of his ticket. Tuesday night, the two tickets faced off in a public debate.

Movement responded to the question “What do you think is the most concerning issue on campus and how do you plan to address it?”

“IU does not embrace the culture of care,” Straub said.

The number of suicides and drinking and drug–related incidents that have occurred in the last year could have been prevented, Straub said.

Both tickets responded  to a question about the Indiana Daily Student opinion
article “Why aren’t we raising hell?” in Tuesday’s paper, “How would you formulate a response to this article?”

“There is a huge disconnect (between the student body and IUSA),” said junior Crimson and Cream vice president of administration candidate Claire Hawkins.

“Look at the audience, they’re wearing jeans. The current administration you see is in suits. Maybe they’re not students. We’re wearing jeans and are students, and we will solve this disconnect.”

Movement answered following Crimson and Cream’s response.

“Just to clarify, we are all students,” Straub said. “But there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes. I encourage you to do more investigation.”