David Brooks remains alone in the race for the student representative position on the UB Council, though election officials expect more candidates to emerge before the March election.
Brooks, who has held the student position on the council for one year, told The Spectrum he will run again this spring. The second-year medical student is the only candidate in the race, according to Jennifer Wantz, an assistant director in the Office of Student Life.
Prospective candidates must gather 300 signatures on a special petition, available in any student government office. Last year's election attracted six candidates.
Wantz said that several students have already picked up petitions for this year's election. The petitions are due Feb. 21, followed by a period of campaigning that ends with the elections, which will be held Mar. 7 to Mar. 9.
The UB Council, an advisory board to President John Simpson, meets every four to six months and is chaired by Jeremy Jacobs, a prominent local businessman. The lone student representative offers insight into the student perspective on university issues.
Brooks, who has held the position for a year, said he believes the student seat on the council can play a key role at UB.
"I think this position can have a huge impact on how the administration views the students," Brooks said. "It's really up to the person in the position for what they want to make out of it."
Brooks said he's tried to make the most of the position during his time on the council, working with the group to make improvements such as increased library hours and a new appointment system for health services. Right now, he is helping to create a new student advisory committee, he said.
"It is a very important position," Brooks said. "People should definitely vote and take a very close look at the candidates."
Few students ever vote in the election. Last year the election was even held online for the first time and only 468 students voted.
Brooks said he believes the best way to make the student body aware of the position is for the incumbent to make a big splash of noteworthy accomplishments.
Some faculty members said they feel the student organizations can contribute to increased awareness of the election.
"Maybe if the individual student governments were more aware of this opportunity, they could promote it among their constituents," said Connie Holoman, deputy to the president.
Holoman called Brooks' role in the UB Council a crucial student representative position and one of the most influential available to students.
"I think that a student on the council is able to bring a very first-hand experience to issues being discussed," Holoman said. "Just having the student voice offering the perspective helps the council understand more thoroughly the kind of issues we're thinking about."
Although most students remain unaware of the upcoming April election and the opportunity to run in it, many seemed interested when informed the position is open to any full-time student.
"I had no idea such elections were being held, but now that I know I will make it a concern," said Chris Gagliano, a freshman business major.
"They should do a better job of informing the student population," said William Aperance, a junior electrical engineering major.
Some said they're disappointed in the lack of attention the UB Council receives from the student body.
"That's kind of sad that nobody cares," said Gary Meinl, a junior electrical engineering major. "If we have only one person to voice the student's opinion to the president, you think people would care more."
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
