FAMU’s spring campaign season has started and with incentives to get students to vote and major changes to the point system, students should expect an interesting week.
According to the Electoral Commissioner Alyse Taylor, “In the past, about 15 percent of students voted, the goal this year is 5,000 students,” said Taylor.
The Elections and Appointment Committee has worked with the Electoral Commission to create the 5, 000 Voters Strike Comedy Jam, put on by to create a comedy jam. Comics such as Bruce Bruce, Lil’ Duval, Benji Brown and other local talent will perform at FAMU’s Al Lawson Multipurpose Center Teaching Gym.
After a student votes, their “I voted” sticker will get them a ticket to get into the comedy show.
“You have to vote in order to get in the comedy show,” said Taylor.
The campaign process takes about a month, according to Taylor. The campaign period begins Feb. 10 and ends on Feb. 18. The candidates rally kicks off the campaign season on Feb. 12 in the Grand Ballroom at noon.
Later that night, the Presidential Debate will take place in Lee Hall from 6 to 8 p.m.
The campaign season on Florida A&M’s campus is the most anticipated event on campus, said Catherine Jefferson, the student union specialist.
Each candidate must be a full-time student and have at least a 2.8 grade point average for upper class positions and a minimum 2.5 GPA for other positions.
“I hope that this year the candidates do more themselves than leave it up to their campaign teams. I saw there were teams, but I didn’t know who I was actually voting,” said Vlad Dorson, 21, a third-year theater performance student.
There are more than 25 positions up for grabs. Posts include Student Government Association President and Vice President; King and Queen of Orange and Green; Senior, Junior, Sophomore, and Graduate President and Vice President; Mr. & Miss FAMU, Electoral Commissioner; Senior, Junior and Sophomore Attendant and eight Junior Senators.
“Hopefully everyone will be fair and treat others the way they want to be treated and respect each other. The best man or women wins,” said Jefferson, who has worked long enough in FAMU’s Office of Student Activities to many student elections…hope everyone is cordial and professional; only one person can win.”
There are many campaign events available for the student body to attend in order to get to know the candidate or ticket they may be voting for.
“I am excited about the campaign this year and I am going to attend most of the events,” said Anthony Bivins, 22, a third-year theater student from Jacksonville.