Town key in campus election

While the post of student body president typically is viewed in terms of its connections to the University, this year’s candidates for the top student office say they are thinking beyond campus issues.

Student body president hopefuls Seke Ballard, Leigha Blackwell, Seth Dearmin and Tom Jensen all have included planks in their platforms that address the relationship between the University and the town of Chapel Hill.

“We need to be more in the mind-set that we are residents of Chapel Hill, as well as students at the University,” Dearmin said.

Ballard’s platform includes a push for the acknowledgement of the “co-dependent relationship” between the University and the town.

Blackwell said she will push for more positive interaction between the town and the University.

If elected, she said she will create a committee that will help bridge gaps between the two entities — something Town Council member Mark Kleinschmidt said is of utmost importance.

“We make decisions every day that affect how students live,” said Kleinschmidt, who himself was a member of student government when he attended the University.

Kleinschmidt said past student body presidents have viewed town-gown relations differently.

“We’ve seen in the past a number of student body presidents who have made that a primary objective,” he said.

When asked what the most important town issues are for students, the candidates were split.

Ballard and Jensen said the development plans for Carolina North — UNC’s proposed satellite campus — is the most critical issue.

The creation of a single voting district for on-campus voters topped the list for both Blackwell and Dearmin.

Council member Bill Strom said some student leaders have not been as responsive as others.

“I’ve seen student body presidents come in only during times of crisis and read a prepared statement,” he said.

Strom and fellow council member Sally Greene this year have endorsed Jensen, citing his involvement in town issues as one of the reasons for their support.

Greene said her work with Jensen on the Special Committee to Consider Renaming Airport Road was a factor in her endorsement.

“He understands the role the student body president can play in providing a clear voice for students in this community,” Strom said.

Regardless of their own involvement in town-gown relations, candidates stressed that students should be involved in local affairs.

Dearmin’s platform advocates the creation of special one-year terms for students to serve on town advisory boards.

He said he hopes a smaller time commitment would make service enticing to more students.

At one point, Ballard also included a desire to appoint a student to every town advisory board.

The issue of student participation on town boards is not a new one.

In November 2003, then-Student Body Secretary Frances Ferris petitioned council members to create a permanent position for a student representative on every advisory board that directly affects students.

But many board members did not support the change.

Despite that, Jensen said he will use his experience to advocate for student interests. “I won’t go into Town Council as a stranger.”

Ballard, Blackwell and Dearmin all pointed to the fact that students make up almost half of the town’s total population as a reason why they should be involved.

Carrboro Alderman Mark Chilton, the only University student to be elected to the council as a student, said student leaders must keep in mind that council members must balance the needs of all the town’s citizens.

“There needs to be some realistic recognition of the needs of the rest of the town’s citizens,” he said.

Blackwell said students should realize their potential power over current town-gown issues.

“We can have a huge influence if we just speak up.”

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.