Spring Break
SGA membership requires campaigning
Candidates want to make a difference
Ashlee Salem
Issue date: 2/20/08 Section: NEWS
Becoming a member of the Student Government Association entails a little application and a lot of campaigning.
To become a member of the SGA senate, president or vice president, all a candidate has to do is fill out an application, attend one of the two election code meetings and be in good standing with the university. The presidential candidates must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 and the vice presidential candidates must have a GPA of 2.5.
Presidential elections are held every long semester.
The candidates must also have a campaign platform statement and the presidential and vice presidential candidates must have a letter of recommendation from within the NT community.
"A good candidate is someone who knows the inner workings of SGA and the university," said Shana Gooch, director of marketing, promotions, and public relations for the SGA.
The next step is two weeks of campaigning. There are a few requirements of campaigning in regards to how much money the candidates can spend, located in the SGA's bylaws.
"Unlike a U.S. senatorial election, these don't cost 15 million. All you need is a Facebook and some social skills," Plano sophomore Adam Rosenfield said.
After the two weeks of campaigning, elections begin. Elections are right before spring break and students can vote online. An election board reviews any complaints or problems that could occur during the elections.
Gooch said she is not sure how many people are running this semester. The SGa will not know until Monday when campaigning begins.
"Elections are fun, easy, and simple when planned correctly, and the benefits of winning are worth the effort," said Jeff Kline, speaker of the Senate.
Many of the senate and presidential candidates said they hoped to make a difference and represent the students of the university.
"Not many people know what SGA is and what their role is in the university, and we have a voter turn out of five percent and I want to increase the voter turnout," Austin junior Hunter Nelson said.
Election coordinator Stephen Withkowski said it is important for candidates to get their names out with Facebook, posters or any way possible.
"Every member of the student body is a member of SGA," Withkowski said. "It's a representative organization of the student body."
To become a member of the SGA senate, president or vice president, all a candidate has to do is fill out an application, attend one of the two election code meetings and be in good standing with the university. The presidential candidates must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 and the vice presidential candidates must have a GPA of 2.5.
Presidential elections are held every long semester.
The candidates must also have a campaign platform statement and the presidential and vice presidential candidates must have a letter of recommendation from within the NT community.
"A good candidate is someone who knows the inner workings of SGA and the university," said Shana Gooch, director of marketing, promotions, and public relations for the SGA.
The next step is two weeks of campaigning. There are a few requirements of campaigning in regards to how much money the candidates can spend, located in the SGA's bylaws.
"Unlike a U.S. senatorial election, these don't cost 15 million. All you need is a Facebook and some social skills," Plano sophomore Adam Rosenfield said.
After the two weeks of campaigning, elections begin. Elections are right before spring break and students can vote online. An election board reviews any complaints or problems that could occur during the elections.
Gooch said she is not sure how many people are running this semester. The SGa will not know until Monday when campaigning begins.
"Elections are fun, easy, and simple when planned correctly, and the benefits of winning are worth the effort," said Jeff Kline, speaker of the Senate.
Many of the senate and presidential candidates said they hoped to make a difference and represent the students of the university.
"Not many people know what SGA is and what their role is in the university, and we have a voter turn out of five percent and I want to increase the voter turnout," Austin junior Hunter Nelson said.
Election coordinator Stephen Withkowski said it is important for candidates to get their names out with Facebook, posters or any way possible.
"Every member of the student body is a member of SGA," Withkowski said. "It's a representative organization of the student body."
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