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CU student leaders accused of making food bribes

Posted at 7:34 AM, Apr 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-29 22:05:32-04

Two of the winning presidential candidates in the University of Colorado's student government elections will not be allowed to take office after allegations that they used bribes of cookies and pizzas to gain votes.

The Daily Camera reports that two of the three students on the winning tri-executive ticket have been disqualified for violating campaign rules. CU students elect three student body presidents all running on the same ticket. The third student will take office in May.

A student government appellate court found the two candidates promised cookie cakes and pizzas to students who pledged to vote for them.

CU Chancellor Phil DiStefano will review the student election process that led to the disqualification.

The CU student government oversees roughly $23 million in student fees.

"Some of these students may run for office in the future, too," said Ryan Huff, a spokesman for the University. "And I think this whole process has been a bit of a teachable moment for them that there are certain codes that have to be followed throughout an election."

The disqualified students have not responded to our requests for comment, but current student leadership said the rules were clear.

"It’s outlined in the election code in specific sections," said Boneth Ahaneku, the student government president of internal affairs.

However, she said the process has put a spotlight on updates needed in governing documents to address this sort of issue.

"I think it will definitely create some changes," she said.

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