Candidates for the 2008 student governance elections are facing misleading publicity a day before the election from posters on campus that were created by two members of Student Senate.

The posters featured images of Senate presidential candidates Chris Smith and Eric Hopfensperger and said that they were not adequately committed to fulfilling their presidential terms if elected. The posters were created by “The Coalition of Concerned Students Against ‘Chops’ and ‘Burns.’”

Smith said that he talked with his adviser and will be a full-time student during the spring 2009 semester and would fulfill his term as president if elected.

“I’m not a quitter,” Smith said.

Hopfensperger was also upset.

“I was shocked that someone would go after two individuals the day before an election,” Hopfensperger said.

Three people affiliated with Student Senate confirmed that student senators Jeffrey Schwan and Jordan O’Connell created the posters. None of the three would allow his or her names to be published.

O’Connell and Schwan would not confirm or deny their involvement.

“I’m enthused that a coalition of students were impassioned enough to exercise their First Amendment rights and express their point-of-view,” O’Connell said.

Members of Student Senate were upset with the incident.

“I’m outraged that these individuals would post this,” Frank Moullet, Student Senate president, said.

“All of the tickets are very unhappy with the situation,” Kenny Brotheridge, Student Senate vice president and chair of the elections committee, said.

“I was kind of mad that it was done just before the election started,” Smith said.

The ticket of David Dregne and Devine Nzegwu was not mentioned on the posters, but has felt consequences. Dregne and Nzegwu said concerns were raised that they were responsible for the posters.

“We were really appalled and disgusted,” Nzegwu said.

“It’s going to deter the purity and clarity of this election,” Dregne said.

Dregne and Nzegwu posted a message on the Facebook group for their campaign stating they were not involved in the creation of the posters.

The images of Smith and Hopfensperger were taken from different locations.

The image of Smith was located on the desktop of one of the Student Senate computers in the Pioneer Involvement Center and was originally taken by Schwan, Smith said. The image was taken on Sept. 10, 2007.

The image of Hopfensperger was originally published in the April 3 edition of the Exponent. Neither photo editor Brady Terry nor photographer Emily Yttri authorized the use of the image.

“We are not endorsing this position; our photo was used without permission,” Andrew Reuter, Exponent managing editor, said. “If the Exponent takes a position on any issue, it will be on the opinion page.”

A phone call was made to the Exponent office on Tuesday evening by a person claiming to be a member of the coalition. The caller, who refused to disclose his or her identity, said that the posters had been removed from the buildings on campus and apologized for any possible copyright infringement for the usage of the Hopfensperger image.

The candidates are urging voters to base their vote on their own research of the candidates and the issues.

“I think it brings a very bad outlook to the entire election process,” Hopfensperger said.

Schwan said he does not believe that the posters would not have much of an effect on the elections.

“Most people who are going to vote probably made their decision,” Schwan said.