The Student Supreme Court ruled that Anthony Fletcher Jr., business administration sophomore from Vacherie, would be allowed to run for Student Programming Association vice president.Fletcher was initially ruled ineligible to run for the position because he does not currently have 45 credit hours, which is a requirement to hold an SPA office. He will have 45 hours after this semester.
On March 14 the justices met to determine Fletcher’s eligibility. The court ruled to allow Fletcher’s candidacy because of an inconsistency of Articles VI and VIII in the SPA Constitution.
Fletcher was notified of the decision on March 16.
“I am upset that it was not a unanimous decision,” Fletcher said. “I think they speak louder than I can about their decision.”
Lea Bonvillain, business administration junior from Thibodaux, feels that the decision was not fair.
“The same situation happened to me last year, and I was not allowed to run,” Bonvillain said.
Bonvillain and Fletcher were invited to participate in the candidate forum on March 21, but both had a previous engagement.
“I’ve been in SPA for three years,” Bonvillain said. “I know how it runs. I have background in it.”
Bonvillain is the current SPA vice president. Before serving as vice president, Bonvillain was chair of the entertainment committee and a shadow during her freshman year. A shadow follows more experienced SPA members around to learn how things work.
“I have more experience in it,” Bonvillain said. “I qualify as stated in the constitution.”
“I am running because SPA needs a change,” Fletcher said. “I know that I have experience and tools to spark a change.”
“My goal is to put the student back into SPA,” Fletcher said. “When we have executive board meetings only executive board members show up. I want to bridge the gap between students and executive board.”
Fletcher currently serves as student union activities chair.
“I will give 110 percent,” Fletcher said. “I will try my hardest. That’s all I can do. No one is ever 100 percent qualified for a position.”
Students will have the opportunity to vote online for SPA vice president from April 4 until April 6.
