2008 Woodie Awards
Elections near, students unclear
Anne Baker
Issue date: 3/31/08 Section: News
As the Student Government Association (SGA) prepares to begin its second direct presidential elections tomorrow, some students remain in the dark about the election and its candidates.
"I don't really think students see the benefit of it and how it impacts them directly," said junior human resources major Kate Janisch. She added that she had not followed the elections very closely.
This year's elections have proved hard to promote, current SGA president Joey Fiore said, largely because of the "rapid change in options students have."
"There's only so much SGA can promote when we're not sure who's running," he said.
SGA vice president for student affairs Marines Piney dropped out of the race last Monday at the second presidential debate, and there is a chance that a new candidate, Dan Kamyck, might not be allowed to run after a block was put on his nomination. SGA Joint Senate will decide whether Kamyck will be allowed to pursue the presidency after a debate tonight against running-mate vice president for financial affairs Rob Ranley.
Fiore said SGA had fulfilled its responsibility to promote the elections, and that the majority of that responsibility falls on the shoulders of the candidates.
"I think SGA as an organization has done as effective a job as the organization can hope. I think it's really the responsibility of the candidates to promote the elections," he said.
However, some students are still unaware of the elections.
"I had no idea elections were going on right now," said Olivia Chirsky, a freshman pharmacy major.
And while members of SGA have openly discussed a lack of awareness among students, the organization could face setbacks in the election process if not enough students vote. SGA needs at least 20 percent of the undergraduate student body to vote in order for the election results to stand. If that quota is not met, SGA can have two one-week extension periods before the election goes back to the Senate.
"I don't really think students see the benefit of it and how it impacts them directly," said junior human resources major Kate Janisch. She added that she had not followed the elections very closely.
This year's elections have proved hard to promote, current SGA president Joey Fiore said, largely because of the "rapid change in options students have."
"There's only so much SGA can promote when we're not sure who's running," he said.
SGA vice president for student affairs Marines Piney dropped out of the race last Monday at the second presidential debate, and there is a chance that a new candidate, Dan Kamyck, might not be allowed to run after a block was put on his nomination. SGA Joint Senate will decide whether Kamyck will be allowed to pursue the presidency after a debate tonight against running-mate vice president for financial affairs Rob Ranley.
Fiore said SGA had fulfilled its responsibility to promote the elections, and that the majority of that responsibility falls on the shoulders of the candidates.
"I think SGA as an organization has done as effective a job as the organization can hope. I think it's really the responsibility of the candidates to promote the elections," he said.
However, some students are still unaware of the elections.
"I had no idea elections were going on right now," said Olivia Chirsky, a freshman pharmacy major.
And while members of SGA have openly discussed a lack of awareness among students, the organization could face setbacks in the election process if not enough students vote. SGA needs at least 20 percent of the undergraduate student body to vote in order for the election results to stand. If that quota is not met, SGA can have two one-week extension periods before the election goes back to the Senate.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
AL
posted 3/31/08 @ 2:11 PM EST
Maybe if SGA got their act together the students would actually know what is going on!!!
Post a Comment