Recently, several students began a petition, which they intend to send to Governor Phil Bredesen, urging him to not choose former Student Government Association senator and presidential candidate Nicholas Mitchell for a position on the Tennessee Board of Regents.The petition, which is on www.ipetitions.com, has 50 signatures, states that Mitchell ran a “divisive and unethical campaign,” and that “he should not be our voice to the Tennessee Board of Regents.”

Mitchell was defeated in the 2010 SGA presidential election.

“I am disappointed the petition was created,” Mitchell told the East Tennessean Wednesday night. “People have every right to express their opinion…but I am disappointed to see it [the petition].”

Mitchell said that while he realized there were differences in the recent SGA election, he was “hoping that once the election was over we could all come together and work for the best interest of the university.”

Petition sponsor and vice president of the College Democrats Heidi Davis, said the creation of the petition is “not because we have ill feelings towards Nick. It is not some vendetta against him or any of his supporters. We just believe that someone that will have so much influence over what happens at our school should be able to work with any student on campus.

“Even when we do not agree on ideology we still believe in respect. “

Mitchell said that he disagrees with Davis.

“I personally believe the petition is out of ill will,” Mitchell said. “I have had my disagreements with the College Democrats and other organizations like them, but if they have a legitimate concern they would like addressed by the TBR, I will be more than happy to assist them on that.”

Mitchell said that the TBR is “politically neutral” and that a position on the board requires “putting partisan politics aside.”

The petition states that many students do not believe Mitchell will represent them fairly.

“Because of Nick’s callous behavior towards progressive and marginalized students on our campus,” Davis said. “We think he would be an ill fit to represent the voice of all TBR students.”

“We believe it is the responsibility of our student leaders and our administrations to make our schools safe places for students,” the petition reads, “A safe place means that our diversity is celebrated and respected.”

However, Mitchell said that he followed all election regulations during his campaign and that if chosen for the TBR, he will work for all students.

“When it comes to solving problems and working for the best interest of Tennessee institutions of higher education,” Mitchell said. “The TBR does a good job of putting partisan politics aside and that is a tradition I plan to uphold.”

Mitchell said that while he realized there were differences in the recent SGA election, he said he was hoping that once the election was over, he and other students could come together and work for “the best interest of the university.”

“It’s time to put what is in the past, in the past,” Mitchell said. “Bury the hatchet and move forward.”

Mitchell is currently one of three finalists for a position on the TBR. He recently resigned from the SGA senate after being the organization’s longest serving senator.

He will know by early June if he was selected for the TBR position.

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