Students will find changes in the Homecoming court election process and a new addition to the ballot this year.

The Student Government Association (SGA) revised the election process, and the ballot will feature the SGA revised constitution that is up for student approval. Changes to the election process included changes in nomination criteria and in campaigning guidelines.

The elections for the 2010 Southeastern Homecoming court will begin on Monday, Sept. 27, at 8 a.m. and end on Wednesday, Sept. 29, at 4:30 p.m. In order to vote, students can visit the SGA Web site, www.selu.edu/SGAvote.

This year, students can vote for four men and four women. They will be able to see the candidate’s picture and read a brief biography on each one before placing their final vote. If students are unable to access a computer, there will be polling stations set up in the library, the Pennington Student Activity Center, D Vickers Hall, Cayman Café and the Student Union.

This year’s nominations were held differently than in years past. Usually, a student had to be nominated as a sweetheart or beau by either their class or the student organization they were involved in. At least one nominee was required for each classification – freshman, sophomore, junior and senior ranks.

Those nominees had to meet base criteria, which stated that eligibility requires a 2.5 cumulative and semester GPA, full-time enrollment and no record of academic or disciplinary probation.

This year, however, organizational nominations were not necessary; students were able to self-nominate. The base requirements are still in effect, with the addition of needing to be involved in at least two campus organizations, but students no longer have to go through their organizational leaders to get involved.

“The reason for changing to this process was to open up for more students to run and to also even the playing field for many of the students by completely getting rid of handouts, giveaways, signs, etc.,” said William Takewell, SGA election board chairman.

This year’s campaigning process is completely verbal; there will no posters or fliers on campus anywhere. However, campaigning via Facebook, Twitter and other online media are allowed.

Also, along with Homecoming elections, students will be able to vote on changes for the SGA constitution. Revision voting will be available online in the same location as the court elections.

“This is what we’re extremely concerned with as a student government,” said Takewell. “We want to see how the students feel about the changes we have made and if they believe they are good changes.”

SGA is hoping to increase student voting this year from 17 percent to 33 percent.

“It’s very ambitious, but elections have been overhauled this year,” said Takewell.

Questions about Homecoming and SGA constitution voting can be directed to the SGA office in Room 207 of the Student Union, contactable by phone at 985-549-2296.

Members of SGA encourage students to ” Go green. Go gold. Go vote… today!”