Getting cable in the dorms, fixing financial aid and improving the quality of dorm life are some of the popular concerns of those running for freshman positions in student government. There are over 56 students vying for one of the eight freshman senator seats and there are 20 students running for freshman class president and vice-president. Elections will be held Tuesday.
Although this year’s candidates are ambitious and motivated, some of their platforms, as the ones mentioned above, may be unrealistic.
“Our campaign is focusing on unity, not only in the freshman class but in administration also,” said Phillip Agnew, 18, a candidate for freshman class president. “I feel there is a huge gap between students and administrators in housing, finical aid and the scholarship offices,” said the business administration student from Chicago.
Agnew and his running mate Thayne Dalrymple, 18 a pre-medicine student from Miami, plan on accomplishing this by hosting town hall meetings, where students can express their views in an organized manor.
Informing the student population about social issues is important to the campaign of freshman Jessica Larche.
“My campaign will stress voter awareness and getting students aware of national and local issues, so that we have educated voters on campus,” said Larche, a political science student from New Orleans, who is running for senator.
On the other hand, Kumasi M. Aaron’s campaign focuses on the bond between students and the SGA.
“My main focus is connecting the student body and student government,” said Aaron, a freshman business administration student from Sebring.
Aaron, 18, plans to be accessible to her class if elected senator through newsletters, e-mails and meetings
“Freshman senators cannot build dorms or get cable in the dorms,” said Robert Clemmons, a senior senator from Detroit. “We deal more with allocating funds and writing legislature that affects the whole campus.”
Clemmons said other platforms like bridging the gap between students and administration, promoting important social issues and making student government officials more accessible to students are “feasible and workable ideas.”
Clemmons said the number one quality the Senate is looking for in freshman senators is commitment. “We need dedicated people who are for the cause, not because they want the spotlight or are trying to join other organizations,” he said. “Being in student government is not only about throwing social functions for your class. We are administrators and negotiators. It is a 24-hour job.”