Election day is upon us, and this year, 35 first-year students are running for 10 open Senate positions in the First-Year Undergraduate Student race. Three graduate students are running for two open Senate positions in the Graduate Student race.
The Student Body Elections Committee has announced that voting will start today at 8 p.m. and end at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Voting will also take place on in Wolf Plaza on Tuesday from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
First-year students, including transfer students and freshmen, can vote in the First-Year Undergraduate Election. Only graduate students can vote in the Graduate Student Election. Results will be revealed at 9 p.m. on Tuesday.
Only six students ran in the First-Year Undergraduate Student race in the previous year, compared to the 35 candidates running this fall. This year’s race initially began with 45 first-year candidates and five graduate candidates, but that number dropped as some candidates withdrew or were unable to attend a required meeting.
The Student Body Elections Committee attributed the large increase in the amount of candidates running for office to the increase in public awareness about elections and the open seats.
The Student Senate, according to the Student Government website, “is comprised of 64 students who proportionally represent each of the university’s schools and colleges, including undergraduates, graduates and non-degree students.”
The Senate has six primary committees that focus on several areas of student concern: academics, campus community, finance, government operations, public affairs and university affairs.
Read statements from 17 of the 35 first-year candidates and all three of the graduate candidates below. The remaining candidates did not respond by press time.
Elected senators will vote and give feedback to university officials regarding the concerns of the student body, including opening and closing times of dining halls, tuition increases, interdisciplinary events, lectures and more.