The Office of the Dean for Student Development (ODSD), after consulting with Information Technology (IT), made the decision to postpone elections for the Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC) from Monday March 17, to Wednesday March 19.
Dean for Student Development Robert Sherwood said the elections needed to be postponed because IT was working on a confirmation feature so that students could know their votes were processed. Additionally, he said the system needed to be modified to be able to record a student's year when voting for legislative directors.
"I had no choice but to agree with [IT's decision]," said Carol Hughes, associate dean in the ODSD and advisor to the Election Committee. "We really had no options."
Following the UGBC's primary elections, IT found that students were able to both see the election results, and vote more than once without having their Eagle ID number recorded.
"I needed to guarantee [IT] could make it a secure election," said Hughes. "And they couldn't."
Candidates were critical that students had little knowledge of the change.
As of press time, no notice was placed on Agora or BC InfoEagle, the school's public relations page. A small notice on the UGBC's Web site notified students of the change.
"I wish there could have been more publicity for it," said Derrick Williams, presidential candidate and A&S '04. "But, because the security and the integrity of the election were upheld, I think it is a good thing."
He said that the campaigns had to take it upon themselves to get the information out to students.
"We need to make sure everyone knows when voting is," he said. "There are very limited publicizing opportunities."
Williams and Rochowicz said they plan to refocus their campaign's efforts on visibility in the dining halls and increasing dorm walks duringthe extra few days.
"The people that are going to vote are still going to vote," said Rochowicz.
Jon Lennon and Sumit Mallick, also candidates for UGBC executive office and both A&S '05, could not be reached for comment.
Students will be able to vote on Agora Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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