Paul Reid will not be running for the student executive vice president position in April’s Student Government elections.

On Wednesday, one day after the petition deadline, Reid confirmed his ineligibility for the election.

“There was a clerical error that I didn’t catch until after I submitted the petition,” Reid said. “After being made aware of the situation, we tried to dispute it with Laurel and (Ceci Brinker), and they told me it was something that needed to be looked into because it was a situation that hasn’t really happened before. In the end, rules are rules.”

Brinker, the Student Government adviser, said on Wednesday that there were complications with Reid’s academic transfer records.

The student executive vice president position has a required grade point average of 2.5, while all other positions only have a 2.25 requirement.

Brinker said because the student executive vice president is also the student trustee, Eastern’s board of trustees decided upon a 2.5 GPA several years ago.

No comment has been made as to why, specifically, Reid is not eligible to be placed on the ballot.

Brinker said she wants to protect Reid’s legal privacy.

Two other students were deemed as ineligible and Brinker said the same level of caution is being taken in reviewing their situations. The candidates’ names were not released.

Levi Bulgar, student body president candidate and leader of the Student United Party, was actively speaking on behalf of Reid Wednesday night when the list of eligible candidates was released and the party realized Reid was not on the ballot.

“I still believe Paul is the best person for the job, but obviously because he can’t run in the election, it’s a null (statement).” Bulgar said. “It’s an unfortunate situation that we’re in, but we have to abide by the rules.”

Eric Wilber, of the Students Wanting Action Today party and student executive vice president candidate, said he will continue to campaign as if he were still being opposed. The student trustee aspect of the job should not be taken lightly and students need to know of his responsibilities, Wilber said.

“I think this entire thing is an unfortunate situation and things could have been done better on all sides,” Wilber said. “It’s sad that this position will not be contested, but Paul is a good guy and he will definitely have a position in my administration if he wants.”

The United Party of Students does not have a candidate on the ballot for the student executive vice president position.

Party leader Chris Kromphardt said his group decided not to put an unqualified person on the ballot and that UPS was going to endorse either Reid or Wilber later in the month.

Bulgar said Reid will continue to meet with the SUP party executive board candidates and other avenues of involvement for Reid are being explored.

“I will still continue to be in Student Government because I enjoy it,” Reid said. “I don’t want people to get the idea that I ran for the tuition waiver. My being a veteran already has my tuition paid for and I really want to emphasize my strong desires to participate.”

Both Reid and Bulgar gave Wilber a vote of confidence. Bulgar is the current executive vice president.

“I’ve worked with (Wilber) the last few years and I appointed him to the Apportionment Board,” Bulgar said. “Ever since I met him, I knew he was a hard working guy and hopefully I will have an opportunity to work with him next year.”

Rick Kambic can be reached at 581-7942 or at rwkambic@eiu.edu.