Many students have said the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) election campaigning has hit an all-time low this year, leaving them to decide not who to vote for, but whether to even vote at all.

In the past, USG presidential campaigns have used posters, T-shirts, banners and even party buses to spread the word about their platforms.

" 'Foulke 'N' A' brought new meaning to USG campaigning," Jennifer Hernandez (junior-public relations) said. "This year, I don't even know who is running."

Hernandez, who has been active in USG campaigns in the past, is not alone in her observations, as many students across campus feel they aren't being reached by this year's campaigns, which will conclude with elections on Wednesday.

"There is a general level of unawareness about USG," Andrew Homce (freshman-recreation, park and tourism management) said. "I only know what's going on through newspaper articles."

Head elections commissioner David Gelpi said this year has been difficult for campaigning because of the lack of student involvement and respect for USG.

"Both campaigns are doing very well," Gelpi said. "They are speaking to the constituents that care."

USG Vice President Luke Adams said campaigning is more difficult than candidates might originally think.

"Campaigning season is the most grueling part of the year," Adams said. "It is a lot more work than people think it's going to be."

He said early preparation and a lively atmosphere attributed to the success of his campaign with current USG President Galen Foulke the past two years.

"People wanted to be around [the campaign]," Adams said. "We made sure that people were having fun."

Gelpi said that to be successful, USG will need to find viable things to lobby for and restore the students' faith.

This year, there are very few students interested in what USG is trying to accomplish.

There has been a low turnout at the "Meet the Candidates" events in each of the residence hall commons held last week and the first presidential debate held last Monday night.

"Even if I was more informed, I probably wouldn't vote," Stratton Matthews (freshman-finance) said.

There is also speculation that the recent creation of University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) affects students' opinion of USG.

"People are unsure about the future of USG," Adams said. "They are waiting to see what will happen with UPUA."

Justin Bukartek (junior-geography) said that students are fed up with everything that has happened with USG this year and that the government doesn't seem to have much of a purpose.

"I just don't see myself being affected by what goes on in USG," Bukartek said.

Hernandez said she will vote but will rely on her own research in order to learn about the candidates and make an informed decision.

"[The lack of campaigning] is a disservice to the university," she said. "People should know who they are voting for."

Gelpi said it is more difficult to campaign all across campus with only two presidential candidates running this year.

As many as six different campaigns have vied for the USG presidential title in the past, making competition more fierce and increasing the need to reach students everywhere.

"It's easier to reach students when there are six different presidential tickets," Adams said.

The challenge this year is just getting people to log on and vote, Gelpi said.

Matthews said that in the future, presidential candidates need to find new ways of reaching the students that go beyond fliers.

"Campaigns need to take over the Willard Preacher's position," Matthews said. "What he does, that's what you need to do."