President James Carter is being challenged this year by Senator Joey Williams in a tight race for student body president. The election is coming down to the wire, with both men making good cases.

Although both candidates are viable choices, The Channels endorses James Carter. He deserves another term because of both his commitment to the student body and his successes in office.

Carter has sought to promote effective communication between students and administrators. His ability to be a reliable advocate has not gone unnoticed by students.

He has received praise in addition to concerns ranging from the high sodium content in cafeteria food to requests to cover designated smoking areas in bad weather. He has dealt with these issues in a timely, fair, professional manner.

Carter made efforts to offer alternatives to the drinking in Isla Vista during the Halloween weekend by offering the Campus Center costume party. He created a safe area for students who wanted something other than alcohol. It was actually fun, too.

He is also a proponent of community involvement. With countless food, blood, and book drives under his belt, he has slowly managed to do what many viewed as impossible-encourage student participation in school events and policies.

He has also sought to reduce textbook prices by rewarding teachers who turn in their book orders on time by issuing free coffee coupons.

However, if Carter wins reelection there are things he needs to do. First, he needs to step up and take better control of student senate meetings. In the past, meetings have been sloppy and unprofessional. As president, his job is to enforce parliamentary process and end meetings in a timely manner. He will most certainly need to do a better job in the future.

The challenger Joey Williams wants to improve diversity, acceptance and equality on campus. He would like to implement more multicultural events as well as a Mexican heritage month.

Williams, like Carter, has been a staunch student advocate. He has adamantly opposed the proposal to reduce student work-study to once a month. He has also worked to improve opportunities for students by organizing a grassroots campaign. By doing so, he believes he can cater to student needs on a one-on-one basis.

During his time in office he has never voted against the will of students. He believes his record proves his commitment to students’ rights. As a peer counselor, Williams has built a rapport with many students on campus and considers them his “second family.”

Though The Channels believes both candidates would make excellent student body presidents, only Carter has been able to support his arguments with a tangible plan. And his track record should instill confidence in student voters that he’ll follow through on his promises or go down trying.

Although Williams has been a fine senator, his platform is narrow and lacks details. He hasn’t offered any specific details that would lead us to believe he has any sort of plan formulated.

Carter’s strengths far outweigh his weaknesses, and if reelected, he is expected to continue the excellent job he began one year ago.