Election season for the 2013-2014 Undergraduate Student Government Association has begun.
Candidacy packets, which interested students must complete by April 1 in order to run, were released on March 18. As of March 24, when this paper went to print, the election is uncontested, as only one election party, the Sharks Initiative Party, has emerged.
Undergraduate SGA election polls will be open from April 8 at 1 p.m. until April 10 at noon. Undergraduate students will be able to vote after receiving the ballots via their NSU email.
The Sharks Initiative Party is led by presidential candidate Daniel Brookins, a junior majoring in legal studies. Brookins is the current SGA vice president of legislative affairs, a residential assistant in the Commons Residential Hall and a member of Razor’s Edge.
Brookins said he is ready to begin campaigning and is excited to share his vision with the student body. There are two things students should look for when deciding who to vote for, according to Brookins: what the candidate has done and what he or she plans to done.
As vice president, Brookins sponsored numerous SGA bills, including the “Solving the Skype Problem” resolution, which sought to allow students to use Skype, an online video chat service, in the residential halls. He also sponsored the “Orgsync” resolution, which introduced NSU to Orgsync, an online community for organizations similar to Facebook. Brookins has also revamped the Parker Building board system, where campus organizations can reserve boards to post information and announcements.
Brookins said, “My involvement on campus developed me as a person and leader. I encourage all students to become involved.”
Brookins’s running ticket consists of 27 students, including Shemaiah Kenon, freshman legal studies major, who is running for minority senator. She works as an NSU student ambassador and main stage chair for S.E.A. Board, and is a member of Finatics, a group that aims to promote school spirit. If elected, she hopes to increase school spirit, enhance student services and improve communication between financial aid offices and students.
If elected, Brookins will succeed current Undergraduate SGA President Chris Mignocchi, junior exercise science major. Mignocchi said he decided not to run again because he feels lucky enough to have been elected once and does not want to take the opportunity away from someone else. However, he offered advice for the future SGA president.
“You are captain of the ship. Whatever direction and vision you have is where the body will go, so be sure to be proactive,” said Mignocchi. “You are the sole [representative] of the entire undergraduate student body in every meeting you go to; your decisions and opinions represent a lot of people.”
Mignocchi hopes that he established a high standard for student leadership during his term and is confident that the next group will accomplish even greater things.
As he bids his position farewell, Mignocchi said, “I am thankful for all of the support from my friends, family, and fellow students. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you all.”
For a candidate to have their name included on the ballot, they must obtain 100 undergraduate student signatures as endorsements on their candidacy form. Once approved, candidates for senate positions will receive $50 toward their campaign, and executive Board tickets will receive $200. Itemized receipts will also be reimbursed, including the costs of posters, flyers, web sites, chalk drawings, balloons, T-shirts and buttons.
In addition to meeting all requirements, such as a 2.3 cumulative GPA, all students running for executive board positions will be required to meet and interview with Andrea Kovachy, director of the office of student activities on April 2.
Kovachy said, “For the interview, we are interested in better understanding what the ticket hopes to accomplish and how they will execute their vision with the senate.”
Kovachy recommends that potential interviewees speak with constituents to determine their stance on important issues and to get a better understanding of how SGA functions at NSU.
Graduate Assistant for Student Governance Aly McKenna, said, “This is a great way to get involved and serve as a student leader.”
Undergraduate students interested in running for office can contact McKenna at am2402@nova.edu or 954-252-2461.
The Elections Commission will conduct SGA election information meetings on March 25 at noon in room 200 of the Rosenthal Student Center; March 27 at 5 p.m. in Rosenthal 204; March 28 at 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. in Rosenthal 218.
Packets can be picked up in the Office of Student Activities or requested via e-mail, and are due to the Office of Student Activities by 4 p.m. on April 1.
All students running for executive board positions will be required to meet and interview with Andrea Kovachy, director of the Office of Student Activities, on April 2.
The Elections Commission must approve all campaign materials by April 3rd.
All candidates may campaign April 4 at 8 a.m. until April 10, and results will be announced on April 11 during the Elections Party.
Fraternity and sorority senators will be elected on April 8 at 12:30 p.m. in Rosenthal 200.
Undergraduate SGA election polls will be open from April 8 at 1 p.m. until noon on April 10.
Before elections open, there will be a debate and town hall meeting on April 8 at noon in the Don Taft University Center Pit.
The Inter-Organizational Council Senate Elections: April 11 at 4:30 p.m., during the bi-weekly IOC meeting
