PBHA Cabinet To Elect Top Officers Tonight

As Phillips Brooks House Association (PBHA) members prepare to elect their top-ranking officials tonight, three of the highest positions are uncontested.

"The fact that the president and vice president and secretary are uncontested is a sign that people have confidence in these people," said Jason Q. Purnell '99, president of PBHA.

But the group's current leaders predict that it is possible that more candidates will enter the contests before tonight's elections.

"Lots of people wait to run at the last minute," said Caroline A. Rothert '00.

PBHA's top leaders are selected by the cabinet, the governing body of PBHA, which consists of representatives from each of the 51 committees of PBHA.

The cabinet will fill the following positions: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, programming chairs, fundraisers and events coordinator.

Before the elections take place, each candidate gives a speech followed by a question-and-answer period.

"They pretty much share the same vision," Rothert said. "They just differ in what they feel is the best way to go about it."

PBHA's leadership will have to deal with new permanent officers and secure new sources of funding, according to Purnell.

The incoming officers will work with the new executive director Paul MacDonald and the new development director Susan Collings.

In order to fund these positions permanently, pay for equipment and supplies and support general programs, PBHA is beginning a new $6 million fundraising drive.

After tonight's elections, the president and vice president will create second-tier positions such as coordinators for campus outreach, transportation and program resources. The cabinet votes for those positions and for the Board of Trustees in December.

"PBHA is student-governed. That makes the elections impor- tant," Rothert said. "The shape of theorganization depends on the students within it."

The current members of the PBHA cabinet are notworried about the candidates.

"I think no matter who the cabinet elects, PBHAis in great hands," Rothert said. "I have fullconfidence in the leaders that are going to leadPBHA.

The current members of the PBHA cabinet are notworried about the candidates.

"I think no matter who the cabinet elects, PBHAis in great hands," Rothert said. "I have fullconfidence in the leaders that are going to leadPBHA.