The candidates for Undergraduate Student Government president and vice president have been endorsed by a wide variety of student organizations.

Rob Kampia and Beth Schneck:

-- The Alliance for Animal Rights endorsed this ticket because it has the best understanding of both animal and human rights, said Jim Lynch, the group's president.

-- Eco-Action endorsed them because of their plans to reinstitute a complete recycling program and conduct an environmental audit at the University, said Dana Librandi, Eco-Action president.

-- The Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance also endorsed Kampia and Schneck at their meeting last Monday because of their focus on activism and underrepresented people's issues, said LGBSA Co-director Craig Waldo.

-- Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, 3 Stone, endorsed this ticket despite Panhellenic Council's endorsement of Jim Ryerson and Candice Anderson.

"Being Greek does not necessarily mean that we have to vote Greek. We look at the candidates' platforms to make our decision," said Sara Healey, Sigma Sigma Sigma president.

-- Student 1st Step members weren't enthusiastic about any of the candidates but chose to endorse Kampia and Schneck because of their history of getting things done, said Al Gordon, entertainment and events coordinator for Student 1st Step.

But Gordon said he faults them for toning down their positions on issues in order to get elected, although their tactics are still acceptable.

-- Womyn's Concerns endorsed this ticket because members think they will do a good job on women's and other minority issues, said Womyn's Concerns Co-director Erin O'Leary.

-- Kampia and Schneck were also endorsed by the Penn State National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws -- of which Kampia is president.

Jim Ryerson and Candice Anderson:

-- Panhellenic Council endorsed this ticket because they have a platform that would best benefit the Greek community, said Panhel President Becky Friese.

-- The School of Communications student council endorsed Ryerson and Anderson on the basis of their experience, knowledge of the issues and plans to get projects done, said Mike Field, council president.

-- The Student Health Advisory Board endorsed them because they knew about USG issues, had leadership experience and had researched health issues, said Kathy Kasperik, SHAB vice president.

-- The Council of Commonwealth Student Governments also endorsed this ticket. CCSG representatives could not be reached for comment.

Rich Shaffer and Chris Groton:

Schaffer originally said he would not list the organizations that had endorsed him and running mate Groton because he didn't want the race to turn into a popularity contest. Some of the organizations that had endorsed them might make people not want to vote for his ticket, he added.

But Schaffer later decided to identify the groups that had endorsed them.

-- The Lionhearted endorsed this ticket because they are dissatisfied with the current USG administration and think the ticket understands the political process well, said Lionhearted Editor in Chief Joe Ames.

-- Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, 417 E. Prospect Ave -- of which Groton is a member -- also endorsed them, said Pi Kappa Alpha President Dean Sibley.

-- The Wargaming Club endorsed Schaffer and Groton because they requested the endorsement and the ticket's ideas are similar to what the club's membership supports in USG, said Jamie DeCoster, club president.

-- Schaffer and Groton were also endorsed by the Conservative Club and the Scabbard and Blade Tri-Service Honor Society. Representatives of those organizations could not be reached for comment.