Though many Student Government candidates are scrambling to earn votes, 12 candidates are virtually stress-free.
These candidates are running for their offices unopposed because no other students filed to run against them.
All unopposed undergraduate candidates are on the “Making it Happen” ticket.
All candidates for the Graduate Council are running unopposed and are on the “In Focus” ticket.
Some of the seven undergraduate candidates said they think they were the only students to file for their positions because students are not aware of how to get involved in SG or its vital role on campus.
“Students don’t know how SG contributes,” said Ryan Fontenot, unopposed candidate for College of Engineering treasurer, on the “Making It Happen” ticket. “Why would they want to get involved in something that does nothing?”
All the Graduate Council candidates being unopposed may be attributed to grad school students having a heavier workload, and many not being aware of SG opportunities in the grad schools department, said David Ammons, unopposed Graduate Council treasurer candidate on the “In Focus” ticket.
“A lot of grad students aren’t going to want to take on extra duties,” Ammons said.
Some unopposed candidates are funneling their energy into bringing about SG awareness so future elections will involve more students.
“This is not just our school, it’s everyone’s,” said Samuel Moore, unopposed candidate for the College of Art and Design senate on the “Making it Happen” ticket. “It’s important for students to take part in the formation of our school.”
Unopposed candidates are not permitted to campaign for themselves, according to the election code.
Because they cannot campaign, many unopposed candidates are emphasizing the importance of taking an active role the SG process by going to University clubs, presenting issues and doing table sits for their ticket members.
Candidates see the importance of showing the public that even though they do not need students’ votes for a victory, they deserve them, said Scott Hannaman, unopposed College of Basic Sciences vice president candidate, on the “Making It Happen” ticket.
“They want to hear from all of us,” Hannaman said. “It’s good so that people can see me and know I’m serious about this election and my ticket.”
Hannaman is already making plans to make lab positions, scholarships and internships in the College of Basic Sciences more inclusive.
“We want everyone to have an equal opportunity to know about them,” he said.
Sarah Booker, unopposed candidate for the College of Art and Design treasurer on the “Making It Happen” ticket, plans to make education students aware of the prerequisites they must complete before graduation.
“So many people don’t know what’s expected,” she said. “They have prerequisites, state tests and student teaching.”
