The 2012 Student Government Association (SGA) General Elections opened up yesterday to student voters and while the positions of SGA President and Chief Justice have already been filled, the second highest office of Vice President is being contested by fashion merchandising senior Shawndreka Gatlin and junior sociology major Megan Wiggins.
During the General Election Debate held last Tuesday, March 6, Gatlin and Wiggins, along with the candidates for senate and judicial seats, argued their platforms before an audience. Current SGA President Luke Holloway and SGA Chief Justice William Takewell mediated the debate.
After the 32 candidates for senate and judicial seats presented their platforms, the Chief Justice-Elect Kayla Turner, sophomore chemistry major, discussed her platform for the judicial branch of the SGA known as “Kinetic Advocacy Meets Tomfoolery,” which seeks to educate and advocate student awareness, spirit, scholarship and service. Turner is also attached to Wiggins and President-Elect Branden Summers’ “Moving Forward 2012” platform, which is based on maintaining and expanding current SGA programs and increasing student participation in the SGA.
Following the debate, Turner went into more detail about her plans for office.
“Besides parking appeals, another aspect that the Justice Department oversees is Homecoming,” said Turner. “We really want to increase student participation in Homecoming. But more importantly we want to continue to be an active voice for the students at Southeastern, and have them aware of what’s not only going on campus but also in the community. They would have no idea how many of their fellow students are being affected by cancer or in the military. You have to let them know things like that.”
Turner explained that information like this would help students to grow and prepare for the world after graduation.
“You have to learn who are the people that you’re working with; who are you to them and who they are to you,” said Turner. “In the end we’re all about student growth.”
After Turner, both Gatlin and Wiggins took podiums on either side of the stage and had two minutes to explain their platforms. Gatlin spoke first.
“I shall act as a means of communication between the students and faculty and administration involved with SGA to bring about the wants and needs of students,” said Gatlin. “My purpose it to effectively inform the student body and the campus as a whole of the purpose of the SGA because many are unsure of what we exactly do.”
Gatlin is running independently, a consequence of only one presidential candidate during this year’s election. Like her opponent, Gatlin’s platform “Guidance of a Gatlin” focuses on student involvement however it has a greater emphasis on diversity and unity despite social, racial and religious differences.
Wiggins followed Gatlin at the podium.
“I strongly believe that ‘Moving Forward’ will improve every students’ experience here at southeastern,” said Wiggins. “After all, this is the mission of the SGA, which is to be aware of the general welfare of the student body and establish programs that benefit them.”
Wiggins shared her and Summers’ ideas for new programs, such as a SGA text messaging system developed by students, expansion of the Lion Traxx service to alleviate the lack of parking space and extending the SGA’s presence and services to an area in the Sims Memorial Library.
The debate closed with remarks from Summers who reiterated points and ideas discussed by Wiggins. After the debate he remarked on his lack of opponents and the projects he hopes to start during his administration.
“It feels good but at the same time it doesn’t because it always helps to have a healthy election so that student are shown more than one viewpoint,” said Summers. “Right now we’re just in the beginning, so right now we don’t have many projects. But I’m always open to bringing in students to work on projects for the SGA because we save money that way and at the end of the day, we’re all students at southeastern and working together is helping us excel.”
The SGA elections continue today and will conclude tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. The results will be announced shortly afterward. This year the voting is exclusively online and the ballot can be accessed at www.selu.edu/SGAvote. Check out The Lion’s Roar Facebook page for updates on the winners immediately after the elections and the March 20 issue of The Lion’s Roar Newspaper for more in-depth coverage.