In response to The Collegian's Tuesday editorial ("Put clear voices over clear walkways," March 25) the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) Election Commission has continued to act in the best interest of the student body. Allowing candidates to campaign in the HUB without constant supervision would have inevitably resulted in chaos -- just check the massive campaign violation binder from last year. It also would have given an unfair advantage to those candidates willing to disregard their scholarly obligations in order to campaign.

Two days of campaigning in the HUB allowed all campaigns equal and sufficient time to introduce themselves to the student body. Additionally, UPUA candidates were allowed unrestricted access to other major campus complexes with similar levels of traffic -- Redifer, Willard, Waring -- as well as all outdoor space. The popularity of electronic venues such as Facebook undoubtedly mitigate any potential harm caused by our attempts to minimize HUB disturbances.

While we're tallying those responsible for "student apathy" this election cycle, I'd like to add The Collegian to the list. The newspaper chose profits over substance in promoting their own Web site and endorsement in lieu of the unbiased campaign material painstakingly collected on http://vote.psu.edu. The staff also chose to ignore the only competitive race besides the presidential ticket, that for at-large representative. With intent to point fingers, perhaps The Collegian should best look in the mirror.

Jacob Budin

sophomore-English

UPUA Elections Commissioner