On Monday, Feb. 25, students of Saint Louis University will elect the Student Government Association president for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Juniors Samantha Howard and Jason Potts will compete for SGA president in one of two contested executive board races this SGA election.

Howard leads a ticket of four other candidates for the other executive board positions under the tagline “Voice for Progress.”

Potts runs under the ticket name “Experience the Difference” but does not have candidates for the other executive board positions.

“I feel the best way to represent the SLU community is to have various inputs and not creating a group of my friends to run the student government,” said Potts in an e-mail interview.

Potts is currently in Africa working with the White House, in advance of President George W. Bush’s visit to the region.

He also worked with the White House over the summer in an internship. He is also involved in Greek Life, Student Activities Board, College Republicans and University Ambassadors. Potts is secretary for his fraternity and was this year’s homecoming co-chair for SAB. According to Potts, he helped to organize the highest-attended SLU Homecoming Concert ever.

Howard currently has an internship with a marketing company in Clayton that creates board games and logic puzzles for children.

She also volunteers with her sorority and with Micah House. Howard is also this year’s SGA executive vice president.

“From working adamantly to get approval, funds and support for the first-ever CSO Student Leader Retreat, to planning the first-ever CSO Recognition Banquet that will becoming up in May, I have made great sustainable strides for Chartered Student Organizations,” said Howard, also in an e-mail interview.

In addition to her current position in SGA, Howard was a first-year Senator her freshman year and treasurer of the Great Issue Committee her sophomore year.

The candidates will debate on Feb. 18 in the St. Louis Room at 7 p.m.

Both see housing as one of the more important issues for this election.

“It will certainly be a priority to make sure our on-campus housing is offering competitive prices and quality living experiences,” said Howard.

“Another thing that needs to be looked at and talked to the administration about is the portion of students’ scholarships that can only be used for on campus housing and possible options for giving students access to that money,” said Potts.

Voting will take place on Monday, Feb. 25 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Students can submit their choices online via Banner.