According to a UOSA post-election report, Oklahoma Students for a Democratic Society violated UOSA election rules while campaigning for their candidates in the UOSA fall 2009 general election.

The allegations are found in the UOSA post-election report sent out by UOSA fall 2009 Election Chairman Jeff Riles.

In the report, Riles stated there were numerous infractions committed by Oklahoma Students for a Democratic Society while campaigns were underway earlier this month and during late October.

“In summary, SDS has demonstrated a clear disregard for the rules,” Riles stated. “The group should be prosecuted accordingly and should face sanctions against chalking in the future.”

Many of the violations pertain to chalking.

Riles stated many candidates up for election complained the group chalked over their campaign advertisements. The group also violated chalking rules by chalking within 50 feet of a polling location and by chalking on a vertical surface, Riles stated.

Other student groups not associated with the UOSA election also complained about chalking over their activity advertisements.

Riles stated the group “Ask about baby feet” was possibly mocked by Oklahoma Students for a Democratic Society.

“SDS also has consistently violated the student code by producing unmarked chalkings,” Riles stated. “The ‘ask about bear feet’ chalking are self-identified in one case but not all cases. The group even chalked over some of the baby feet on the South Oval and over the top of another chalking about a hockey event. This type of chalking shall not be tolerated.”

Riles also stated the chalked message that stated “recall the BUMS” was approved by Student Affairs.

The issue, however, has been turned over to Student Affairs.

“The Students for a Democratic Society are not candidates, but rather a student organization,” Kiel Ward, UOSA election board member and University College district representative, stated in the report. “The election board has determined that it does not have jurisdiction over this matter against student organizations and instead has turned over this complaint to the office of Student Affairs.”