Election results for the Students’ Association Congress came quick this year as students had the opportunity to vote in elections for class officers, residential hall representatives and academic building representatives this week in the McGlothlin Campus Center during just the second week of school.
“We had a huge debate on whether we were going to push it back,” said SA Vice President Julianne Hart. “I’m hoping that student groups will really appreciate having their money sooner.”
SA elections normally take place the third week of school but executive officers decided that would conflict with the football team’s scheduled appearance at the Cowboys Stadium. The following week leads into Freshmen Follies, which would have also hurt participation in the election.
Some students running for office are still holding breath. Run-off elections will be held for the representative positions of Freshman Treasurer, between freshmen Christopher John and Ethan Bracken, and Nelson Hall, between freshmen Kalyn Prince and Shelby Ludwig. Run-off elections take place Friday in the campus center from 11:30-3 p.m.
Approximately 70 petition forms were distributed by the SA office and about 40 turned in, noting an uptick in interest by possible leaders.
“We had a lot more people that wanted to be a class officer,” said SA President Connor Best. Officer positions include a class president, vice president and treasurer.
Last year Best pushed for Congress to switch to the class officer format, rather than class senators and now emphasizes, “It’s already had a positive effect.” He’s served as a member of Congress since his freshmen year and said that he has never seen a run-off take place in non-executive elections.
Higher interest was also seen at the voting booth. This year, the elections gathered 626 votes, as opposed to last year’s 220.
Voters can expect to see the newly elected officials in action fast. Officers and representatives leave for the congressional retreat in Merkel Friday evening and begin the harder work next week with a budget meeting Wednesday.
The list of Student Congress positions are as follows:
Freshman President Rodney Johnson; Freshman Vice President Colton McCoy; Sophomore President Brady Kile; Sophomore Treasurer Keaton Tucker; Sophomore Vice President Aaron Brooks; Junior President Laurel Blackman; Junior Vice President Prentice Ashford; Senior President Matthew Ray; Senior Vice President Mackenzie North; Mabee Rep. David Sanderson; Edwards Rep. Connor Vansteenberg; Smith-Adams Rep. Tino Angadicheril; Off-Campus Rep. Brandon Wilson and Jeremy Seal; WPAC Rep. Marc Guiterrez; Admin Rep. Richard Elmore; Barret Rep. Eric Terrazas; Bible Building Rep. Andrew Saucedo and COBA Rep. Amy Morris, J.P. Ralston and Christopher Sisk.
