Explaining SGA elections

I remember sitting on Blackboard about a year ago today anxiously

waiting to see the results of the SGA Executive election. I had put a large amount of time and effort into helping the ticket of Nick Albin, Jimmy Geiser and Morgan Zuziak. Nick and Jimmy were friends of mine and I was excited about the thought of them running SGA for the next year. I will be the first to testify that I did not know Ryan Alleman at all but felt confident in Nick. I often describe Nick as a younger Father B. He is always smiling and can find a way to lighten up your day whenever you see him. Needless to say, I had my fingers crossed that they would pull out what many had expected to be a tight race.

To my dismay, they did not win and ended up losing to the ticket headlined by Ryan Alleman. I was bummed to see the results and thought to myself, ‘Well, I hope the Alleman ticket can live up to the expectations I had expected out of Albin and company.' I am glad to say that, in my opinion, they have, and Ryan has done a wonderful job of leading during some incredibly difficult times that no one could have expected.

Additionally, I have gotten to know Ryan over the past year through the Crosstown Shootout-related events and interactions

with him around campus. Moreover, even though they were not the ticket I voted for, I have been very pleased with the job they have done, and I believe their leadership

will be truly missed.

This up-and-coming election represents a very important time for the XU student body. You can see that the Newswire has carefully made its endorsement, and I too have endorsed a ticket. I am going to spare you my opinion

and instead allow you to make your own decision. But I too have one message: please vote! Voter turnout in student body elections is horrendous; it could almost make the Maine primary blush. Whichever ticket wins will have a great responsibility and I hope that a large percentage of students voice their opinions.

The message

that I give to whichever ticket does win is: please strive towards breaking the stereotype of SGA members.

From my understanding, Kevin Contrera and his ticket did a wonderful job and Alleman and his have, too. Yet too many student senators have fairly, or maybe unfairly, been classified as part of an arrogant good ole' boys (or girls) club that thinks it's better than everyone else. While I know many senators who I do think are elitist or snobby, I continually hear feedback about others who are criticized for their actions. This is one reason why I think voter turnout is low. Upper classmen especially do not care any longer because they feel that the SGA system is frustrating and could use a complete overhaul. I would be afraid to see an SGA approval rating if such a poll existed. So, I challenge whichever

ticket does win to work towards relating to students and serving with humility. But please, also have fun and remember why you originally wanted to run for office.

The way that this election plays out will hold great meaning

for this student body and in the future. The freshmen class already had little interest in getting

involved with running for office in its first SGA election. Thus, it is pivotal that this executive

election relates to the entire student body. It is also important to work hard to be leaders that we are proud of and have the utmost confidence in. I hope that in the future an article like this will not be written and that SGA members will be well thought of and highly respected. Political views aside, to paraphrase former President George W. Bush, "I have a different

vision of leaders. A leader is someone who brings people together." So please, take this article to heart and wish both sides the best of luck.