March 16, 2012

With a few recent executive board member changes, the Legion of Black Collegians is heading into its election season.

Nominations for LBC president and vice president, as well as committee chairs, were held Wednesday. After last year’s minimal election participation, LBC President Whitney Williams said she thought the nominations went well.

“I think people who wanted to run had the information (they needed), and a lot of people who want to be a part of LBC were there and were able to put their nominations in,” she said. “I think we’ll have more participation this year because there were a lot of people who have the skills to be on the executive board (in LBC).”

Williams said committee chair appointments were done through an application and interview process last year due to lack of participation.

“Last year was an anomaly,” she said. “It’s not the usual process.”

The anomaly this year is the executive board, which is two members short for the remainder of this year’s term.

Financial chairman Emmanuel Glasper stepped down from his position and Freshman Action Team chairman Marques Williams was removed from his position for failing to perform his duties, Williams said at Wednesday’s LBC Senate meeting.

Williams said those positions will not be filled until the upcoming elections. The president and vice president appoint the Freshman Action Team chair, and the financial chair is elected.

Williams said she will be taking over the Freshman Action Team chair’s duty until a new one is appointed, while LBC Vice President Kristen Andrews will take over financial chair responsibilities.

According to LBC’s website, the Freshman Action Team committee exists to “create a more amiable environment for freshman.” The chair is responsible for encouraging campus involvement and helping students network. The financial chair keeps a record of LBC’s fiscal affairs.

“(The executive board change) just means more work for me and Kristen,” Williams said.

Williams and Andrews will hold their positions until the end of this semester, when the new executive board will be sworn in.

LBC president and vice president nominations are Greer Relphorde and Cameron Grant, and Korian Harrington and Simone McGautha.

Relphorde has served as LBC’s Four Front liaison and is currently political chairwoman. Her platform will focus on visibility, mentorship and integration, she said in an email.

“We should not force or even ask individuals to hide or dull down any part of themselves to feel a part of the Mizzou community,” she said. “Rather the differences should be both acknowledged and appreciated.”

Relphorde’s opponent, Harrington, has previously served as LBC financial chairman and a conference delegate. His platform focuses on enhancing the minority student experience, Harrington said in an email.

“The reason that I decided to get involved with LBC is because I wanted to be a part of something that could make a meaningful difference on campus,” he said in an email. “And that is what LBC is: the leading voice for minorities here at the university.”

Logistically, Williams said the LBC president’s duties include representing the student government and communicating with faculty and other student leaders on campus, while also being involved with One Mizzou.

“The president has their hand in trying to make sure all these things are kept up with throughout the year,” she said.

The LBC vice president focuses on the financial aspect of LBC and typically works on another project he or she chooses.

Williams said she’s looking forward to watching the election process unfold.

“I’m very interested to see how the elections turn out,” she said.

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