We’re down to the final week, with just a few days left before students go to the polls next Monday and Tuesday to elect our leaders for the upcoming year. Campus politicians and their campaign strategists will be rolling out whatever’s left in their arsenal for one last push to the finish line.

It’s usually in this last week that firm impressions get formed in voters’ minds about the merits of each candidate. But with the recent castration of the Student Senate by University administrators, effectively neutering the group’s ability to govern itself without administrative assent, the distinctions among the candidates for Student Senate President have come into sharp relief.

“The Classical” – first out the gate with campus-wide publicity and reaping an early lead from it, Zach Adams of the College of Engineering fits what is considered the “classical” or “standard” model of past Senate presidents. A brother of the Sigma Chi fraternity and endorsed by the Inter-Fraternity Council, he is widely regarded as an all-around nice guy with a decent understanding of the issues and a genuine desire to help students. His “No Bull” platform is in favor of the things everyone loves and against the things everyone hates. And like many of his would-be predecessors, Adams has spent most of the last Senate session as the body’s president pro tempore.

While Adams’ critics recognize those strengths, they question if he has the gravitas and charisma to maintain control of a group renowned for its strong-willed and quarrelsome personalities. Some also privately complain that Adams’ speaking style tends to sound monotonous and rehearsed, as when he essentially read directly from his notes at the CALS AgriLife Council meeting last week.

Look for Adams to try to assuage both concerns on Wednesday, the last Senate meeting before Election Day.

“The Insurgent” – although he may not like the title in light of its revival in other contexts, Matt Walton of the College of Education has clearly positioned himself as the “insurgent” candidate and most outspoken critic of University administrators. Running on a platform dubbed “The PACKS Plan,” Walton’s central campaign thrust is forming a tighter connection between senators and their constituents and standing up to the University. And he was one of the first to suggest taking the issue of recent administrative vetoes up the University’s chain of command.

Despite taking the ethical position on many issues like student enfranchisement, Walton’s detractors point out that his bellicosity has earned him several enemies in the Student Senate — and they wonder if he would be able to convince University administrators to take him seriously, even if he’s bearing the right message.

Expect Walton to justifiably look past that issue and instead cater to the people who elected him: the students.

“The Statesman” – more so than either of his opponents, James Hankins of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences has dazzled with his laidback personality, charisma and ideas. His “Changing the Game…” platform is the only one to headline with the importance of improving competence and leadership of individual senators, the people who will ultimately determine if the strained relationship with University administrators continues for another year. He also proposes “Open Forums” for each college to help improve student access to deans and other staff. And while few were surprised when Hankins earned the endorsement of the African-American Student Advisory Council, he stunned outside observers by also decisively winning the endorsement of the CALS AgriLife Council last week.

Hankins’ candidacy is not free from criticism, with some opponents insisting he is “too soft” to stand up against University administrators given his initial vote against the Senate’s “Legislative Nullification Act.” He will also have a tough fight in terms of publicity — while his opponent Adams has sandwich boards littering the campus, Hankins himself has none.

Pay attention to these folks in this last week of campaigning. Make sure the goals of whomever you pick matches what YOU want to see accomplished. And remember: given the recent controversies over just how far the University will allow students to govern themselves, next year’s Senate president will find himself in a pivotal position. Choose wisely.

Send your comments to the Campus Forum at viewpoint@technicianonline.com.temp.snosites.net.