Campus-wide senator candidates benefit tremendously from being on a slate, as proved in the past election cycle with the Board the Wing slate sweeping all of the positions that they ran for. This year the three main slates are BOLD, TIDE and Student Voice. 

TIDE can be best described as the slate most similar to Board the Wing in composition and philosophy, however it is perhaps more willing to take up external issues than the slate that swept the elections last year. 

BOLD is a slate that was created shortly before the filing period elapsed. In fact there was an exodus of several members from TIDE leaving to be a part of the newly created BOLD slate. The reasons for this can be mainly attributed to internal tensions, with some members feeling more comfortable with the BOLD exec candidates. BOLD can be described as being similar to Tritons First, with some veteran members of the first incarnation of the slate two years ago returning for another round of elections. Tritons First traditionally has been the slate supported by the Greek community and focused on issues centered towards student life, and BOLD continues this tradition. 

Student Voice is basically Students First with a different name and different slate color. This slate can be accurately described as being the one that is most affiliated with protests and members of the slate are unapologetic activists. However, longtime members of the council can argue that their politics are too divisive and their methods create considerable tension. This Student Voice has little in common with the Student Voice of the 2009-10 elections, a slate that consisted of both Student Affirmative Action coalition candidates and the Greek community.

This year the executive candidates lack experience in terms of years in council, so the best advice I can offer to those voting is to vote for individuals based on their qualifications, not entire slates. See you on the fourth floor.