On a campus of over 11,000 students, it can feel difficult for students to have their voice heard by the people higher up. The best way for students to communicate a problem that they want fixed is to go through the Student Government Association who are having elections in March.
Elections for the Student Government Association, or SGA, will be conducted on March 19 and 20 through online voting from a student email or at designated stations around campus. Students can find these stations in the Hines University Center, Hunter Library, and the Health and Human Science building on both days.
Student body President Katherine Spalding explains why students should consider running for SGA.
“Pretty much anything you can think to complain about can be fixed through SGA. If you want policy to change you need a governing body to make the change and if you think you can be that person than you should run for SGA.”
The application to run for SGA is currently open until Feb. 21. All the requirements to be eligible for a position along with important dates can be found here. The SGA senate consists of 25 positions, all of which will be up for grabs in the upcoming elections.
The positions of President and Vice President will also be open to students who have been involved with SGA in previous semesters. To run for President would require two academic semesters in SGA and Vice President requires two academic semesters in the Senate.
The attitude towards SGA at Western Carolina is mixed with some people wanting to be involved and others who don’t even know what SGA does for them let alone when the next elections are. Chase Washington-Saunders is a transfer students whose experience with student government at his previous school has impacted what he thinks about it now.
“I hear about SGA and I know they are supposed to be a voice for students, but I always consider them just figureheads, ” Washington-Saunders said.
Current SGA members are determined to change how students see SGA on their campus and are encouraging students from all majors to get involved. Election Committee Chairman and Senior Senator Maggie Gore explains what she wants to see from the upcoming elections.
“I want these elections to be my lasting impact. I want to increase voter turnout and for more people to apply. I want to see a variety of majors to increase representation around campus. I want to change the way people see SGA through these elections.”
The entire student government wants to hear from the student body and they encourage anyone that has an idea to contact an SGA member any way they can.
“Attending meetings is the best way to address directly SGA. We designate time at the end for guests to ask questions and we encourage students to email Karen Walker if they are unable to attend the meeting” said Gore.
Candidates will be campaigning the week after spring break during campaign week with the elections being held the following Monday and Tuesday. For more information on important dates and contacts visit the SGA website.
