Students have noticed many changes in this year’s Student Government Association spring elections. As the polls closed Tuesday, some felt candidates’ campaign tactics left much to be desired.
“When I was a freshman, there were ads on buses and billboards, candidates hosting parties at nightclubs and mobs of people campaigning everywhere you went,” said Eric Majors, a fourth-year business student.
Majors is correct. The seemingly overboard campaign tactics of past years were absent from this year’s elections. While no one is sure of the exact cause of this change, some students gave possible reasons.
“I would hope it doesn’t have anything to do with Mr. Champion’s death,” said Markus Jenkins, a third-year accounting student. “If anything, it should make people want to bring positive attention to the university.”
Current sophomore attendant Micka Chavre’ cited rainy weather conditions as a possible cause. Other students believe that campus morale is directly related to the candidates.
“I believe there is a lot of good competition this year,” said Tony Covington, a second-year pre-med biology student. “The candidates’ platforms seem to be student-centered.”
Many candidates used social media to deliver their platforms to the masses. Viral videos gained popularity, replacing the good old fashioned conversation. They allowed viewers to listen to a candidate’s platform points at their leisure. For many students, this beat the typical harassment they get from campaign teams on the way to class. Others, however, prefer to be personally addressed by those running.
“It has been a very weak campaign season this year,” said Jenkins. “I have yet to receive a flier and none of the candidates have spoken to me.”
Antonio Williams, a fourth-year business student who ran for Mr. FAMU in last year’s spring election, said he noticed a lackluster effort in the candidates. He also commented on a decrease in the caliber of those who ran.
“It just seems like no one is radical for change,” said Majors, who now serves as the secretary of economic welfare under the current Love-Harris administration.
While some place emphasis on the intensity of campaigning during spring elections, others patiently await its aftermath.
“The true test comes after elections are over,” said Bernard Jackson, a third-year jazz studies student and current junior senator. “I believe the candidates who lose and still manage to complete their platform points show true dedication to the betterment of the university.”
Election results for each open position can be found at thefamuanonline.com.