Committee reduces sanction
SGA candidate allowed to speak to organizations
By Andrew Donovan
Staff Reporter

Junior finance major Blake Eason had new hope for his Student Government Association presidential campaign after meeting with the Student Organizations Committee Wednesday afternoon.

The committee reduced the sanction that prohibited Eason from speaking to any student organizations during his campaign. In an e-mail sent to Eason Thursday, SOC chairman John Horner said Eason can resume verbal campaigning at 5 p.m. today.

The judiciary board ruled Sunday that Eason violated election code by campaigning before the opening of the formal campaigning period, which started Oct. 29, and used a university publication for campaigning. Eason said he made an appeal to the board Tuesday night, which was eventually turned over to the SOC.

“I’m just glad we more or less got the appeal,” said Eason, who will visit seven to eight sororities and fraternities Sunday. “At least now I can go in front of groups and give why I think I would make a good president.”

Eason said he was informed Sunday night that his speech on Oct. 14, in which he announced his resignation as SGA parliamentarian because of his desire to run for president, was in violation of the election code. A Skiff article included this information the next day.

The violation was first brought to the board’s attention two weeks after Eason’s speech and the subsequent Skiff article, when one of Eason’s opponents in the presidential race filed a formal complaint, accusing Eason of early campaigning.

Horner did not return several phone calls and e-mails.

Eason said he was unhappy with the whole situation but is excited to get his campaign back on track. He said he probably missed speaking to about 15 to 20 student organizations he had scheduled this week.

“Do I think it was unjust? Definitely,” Eason said. “I think the whole process was unjust. I’m just glad I am able to speak now.”