Student Association Senator Karega Harris will face off against incumbent Andy Small in the 1st Ward alderman race on April 1.

Harris, a senior sociology major, is a 21-year-old SA senator who has lived in DeKalb for four years. In those four years, he has held numerous positions throughout the community. A member of the NAACP, Harris served as the chairman of Unity Day 2001.

He served as treasurer for both the SA and his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, during the 2001-’02 school year. Harris also served as the president of B.R.O.T.H.E.R.S. for 2000-’01.

The experience earned in these organizations propelled Harris into running for alderman.

“I am 90 percent solution, 10 percent problems,” Harris said. “I want to correct problems, not complain about them.”

Harris centers his campaign around improving safety in not only the 1st Ward, but the city as a whole. Harris wants to install emergency call boxes especially on Greek Row. He also would like to improve Greek Row parking.

Harris is personally against increasing taxes, but thinks that the bleak economy forces him to endorse it.

Overall, Harris believes the community should elect him because he is open-minded and wants to work for the concerns of the community.

“I believe in working with the community to get things done,” Harris said.