Student Government Elections are Fast Approaching: Whose name will be on the ballot?

By Patrick Dobyns, Editor

Election season is here! Not that election, obviously, but elections for the Student Government Administration (SGA), the governing body that represents students’ interests in the school. 

And, currently, they are accepting applications for their upcoming elections. This past Thursday, I was allowed to participate in a discussion on recent and upcoming events between the various executive board leaders. This was no great privilege, mind you, as students are normally welcome to attend these meetings, where an open forum is held in which guests are invited to speak. 

In this particular meeting, the item on everyone’s mind was the upcoming elections. There are three positions that are open for students to apply for- President, Vice-President, and Campus Representatives. Strong student leaders are being sought out and encouraged to apply for these positions, and links to these applications can be found on the SGA’s Instagram page, pscc_sga.

Due to the recent weather closures, the deadline for these applications has been extended to February 26, so there is still some time to get involved! After applications, a meeting of all the candidates will be held the next day, with a week of campaigning beginning on March 3. Finally, official elections will be held from the tenth to the thirteenth.

These student elected officials naturally have a number of duties and responsibilities. The President serves on the Tennessee Board of Regents as the voice of the student body, and acts as a liaison between the student government and the administration. They oversee suggestions turned in by students and choose which are turned into bills, and set the agenda for the academic year. 

You might be asking, what are all these positions going to be about, and what responsibilities should applicants be ready for? Well, as discussed in the meeting, each role will have many unique aspects that applying students should be aware of. Here are some of the basics.

In addition to their already discussed duties, the newly elected President will also be overseeing the following election when it comes around. The Vice-President will serve in the stead of the President in their absence, as well as oversee marketing and help in making student events. Lastly, Campus Representatives are elected to serve in Pellissippi State Community College’s House of Representatives, an organization which votes on matters brought before them by the President. Each campus has their own proportionate number of representatives to sit in the House, each individual member getting a vote on every matter that is discussed, with the Vice-President of the SGA acting as a tie-breaker when needed.

With the deadline fast approaching, students who care deeply for the welfare and voice of their peers are encouraged to apply. Applicants must have at least one academic year left attending classes, with Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates having twelve credit hours, and House Representatives having six. 

For those of you who aren’t considering these positions, don’t think that the Student Government Assembly has nothing for you. As previously stated, SGA meetings are open for students to attend and make their voices heard on matters such as campus events, club finances,  the state of campus restrooms, and more. If there is an issue you want addressed, these meetings are the place to do it!