Students interested in campus politics still have time to get their name on the ballot.
The second of two candidate meetings for the upcoming Student Association elections will be held tonight at 7 p.m. in the Holmes Student Center Lincoln Room.

Prospective senators are required to attend one of the two meetings if they want to see their name on the ballot come election day. SA election commissioner Patrick Frierson said this is because information packets regarding the election are distributed, and that any interested student is welcome to campaign.

“I want to help anyone interested in becoming a Student Association senator,” said Frierson.
Frierson said that students can still campaign if they can’t attend one of the meetings, but they will have to run as a write-in candidate.

“I have a few friends who were senators last year,” said Dallas Harty, sophomore business management major. “I’m also interested in political science, which is my minor.”
Some students are hoping to use the SA experience to prepare them for life outside the university.

“Student government is important,” said Ariel Hamilton, senior communications major. “It helps prepare you for the real world.”

If elected, this will be Hamilton’s second year as a senator. He said he was intrigued by how involved the SA is in the univerity.

“What interested me was the fact that you have a hand in key decisions in the university that affect you and other organizations,” Hamilton said. “I like the fact that you can learn more about student government and their hand in key decisions.”

Last night’s meeting found the Holmes Student Center’s Lincoln Room full of interested students.

“I’m very pleased with the turnout today,” Frierson said.

This semester, campaigning students will not be required to produce petitions in order to qualify; they only need to meet requirements laid out in the SA Constitution. If elected, senators will be required to perform five community service hours per semester.

“Student Association is important because almost everything runs through it,” Frierson said. “Students should know where their money is spent and have a say-so in that.”

Elections will be held Sept. 29 and 30, with winners to be announced Oct. 1. Interested students can visit the SA office in Campus Life Building Suite 180, or reach them by phone at 815-753-0483.

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