Lee Dufrene and Lea Bonvillain, business administration juniors from Thibodaux, are the only two qualifying candidates in the respective Student Programming Association president and vice president elections as of press time.Four students filed a candidacy petition with the SPA office before the March 4 deadline. Dufrene was the only student to apply for SPA president. Bonvillain and two other students petitioned to run for vice president.
When Records and Registration reviewed the candidates’ qualifications, the two other candidates for vice president were ruled ineligible. In order to qualify as an SPA candidate, students must be enrolled full-time, be in good standing with the University, have a 2.5 GPA or higher and have 45 credit hours.
One of the two candidates, Anthony Fletcher Jr., business administration sophomore from Vacherie, is contesting his ineligibility status. Currently, Fletcher does not have 45 hours of credit, but will have the 45 hours after this semester.
Jennifer White, SPA adviser, said this is a gray area in the SPA Constitution, which states in one place that a candidate must have 45 hours at the time of the election and in another place it states the candidate must have the hours at the time of appointment. She said traditionally the officers are appointed at the annual banquet in April, in which case Fletcher would not have the required hours.
Fletcher filed papers with the Student Supreme Court requesting they revisit his ineligibility. The Student Supreme court is expected to make a decision at a later date.
“I want a fair opportunity,” Fletcher said. “I was just going by what the petition I signed said (45 hours at appointment). I will respect the decision as made.”
As of press time, Dufrene and Bonvillain remain the sole qualified candidates for president and vice president.
Dufrene is seeking the office of SPA President because he wants to make changes in the organization.
“SPA needs a lot of changes,” Dufrene said. “They (SPA) need to let students know what is going on and put their money to good use.”
As SPA president, Dufrene would like to plan some different events. “I would hold new events that students would care for like concerts,” Dufrene said.
In the past, Dufrene has helped SPA plan Homecoming and Crawfish Day and assisted with Winter Fest and mid-term breakfast. Dufrene previously served as the chair of the SPA Special Events committee.
This semester, Dufrene left SPA. Dufrene attributed his grades to his departure. Dufrene said he was involved in too many activities, which caused a drop in his grades. “My grades have now improved,” Dufrene said, replying that he doesn’t believe this situation will reoccur.
Dufrene believes with his improved grades he can make the changes needed to SPA. “It is unorganized at the top level,” Dufrene said.
Bonvillain already serves as the vice president of SPA. Bonvillain enjoys being a part of SPA and believes that a lot of work still needs to be done.
“I plan to redo the paperwork system,” Bonvillain said. Bonvillain believes the paperwork process for planning events needs to be reworked.
As vice president, Bonvillain has a variety of duties. “I overlook committees and take the place of the president,” she said.
Bonvillain also helps out the committees when they need it. Before serving as vice president, Bonvillain served as chair of the Entertainment committee.
Bonvillain looks forward to working with Dufrene next year. “Lee and I went to high school together,” Bonvillain said. “I feel good about working with Lee. We balance each other out.
