Fewer candidates, fewer voters in 2010-2011 SGA elections
There were 6,222 students eligible to vote in the 2010-2011 Student Government Association elections March 31.
However, 1,005 students -- 16 percent voted.
"There's a percentage of students who are non-traditional that should be factored into the equation," said Marlena Baxter, a senior sociology major and education minor from Sumter, S.C.
Baxter is the SGA executive secretary.
"Also, some students just don't [vote]," Baxter said.
This percentage [16] is not abnormal. Last year, 22 percent of students voted in the SGA election. In the 2008-2009 election, 17 percent of students voted.
This year, the few candidates may have attributed to the low voter turnout.
"Due to the low number of individuals running for office, more students did not feel the need to participate," said Jonathan Jackson, vice president of external affairs and president-elect 2010-2011.
"Students must realize and understand how important their votes are for these officials that make critical decisions for the University," Jackson said.
Some executive positions including president, secretary of commuter student affairs, secretary of the treasury, and Mr. WSSU had one candidate. Candidates running unopposed are consistent with previous years. Last year, vice presidents of external and internal affairs and executive secretary all ran unopposed for 2009-2010.
"I feel I ran unopposed because there aren't enough black males on campus willing to step out of their shell and participate," said Cornell Jones, a junior mass communications major.
Jones is Mr. WSSU 2010-2011.
"I plan to change this as Mr. WSSU through leadership and mentoring programs."
Linda Cole, said that the SGA elections are usually the first Wednesday in April. Cole is the University's program associate in the office of student affairs.
"I didn't know elections had happened. I wasn't aware of who won."
The senior class does not have a vice president or, like last election, a Mr. Senior.
Christa Martin, a senior business administration and marketing major from Raleigh, said she believes this low number of candidates is due to a lack of publicity.
"The first time I heard of the candidates, they were giving their speeches," Martin said.
"If I wanted to run, I wouldn't have had any idea when, where, or how to apply."
Jackson said that students may have felt that you have to have certain qualities or experience to run for these positions, when in reality, anybody truly can do them.
"SGA will work next year to make the positions more transparent, so students truly can see what it takes," Jackson said.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
More thenewsargus News Articles
- Bennett College Loses Accreditation Despite Raising Sufficient Funds
- Smollett Investigation Continues To Be Unsolved and Difficult to Resolve
- Tea Talk w/ The News Argus: LaKeith Stevenson
- Brown administration makes history with school's first SGA inauguration
Recent thenewsargus News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR THENEWSARGUS
WSSU Rams Head Football Coach Relieved of His Duties By Elijah Richardson
Bennett College Loses Accreditation Despite Raising Sufficient Funds By Elijah Richardson
Smollett Investigation Continues To Be Unsolved and Difficult to Resolve By Elijah Richardson
Lady Rams look to reverse an abysmal 2014-2015 season By Demetrius Dillard
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
LATEST THENEWSARGUS
- Black Business
- WSSU Rams Head Football Coach Relieved of His Duties
- Controversial Wake Forest Tweet Sparks Outrage
- Bennett College Loses Accreditation Despite Raising Sufficient Funds
- Smollett Investigation Continues To Be Unsolved and Difficult to Resolve
- UREC Looks To Continue and Improve Student Engagement Through Physical...
- University Recreation To Hold Personal Training Pilot Study
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
RECENT THENEWSARGUS CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Tips For Improving Mental Health
- New Writers and Illustrators Win Decades-Old Science...
- Moving Resources For Military Families
- Historic Agreement Signed By Red Cross and Armed Forces
- Salonpas® Brand Stands the Test of Time
- Tips to “Yard Your Way” This Spring
- Upgraded Upstate Power Grid Will Deliver a Smarter,...
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- The Untold Story of GoDaddy Founder’s Traumatic Life a...
- La Semana del Aprendizaje Juvenil destaca las oportunidades
- BookTrib's Bites: Four Captivating Spring Reads
- Moms Kick Back with Mamaritas
- Generac Urges Americans to Prepare for Power Outages Early
- Youth Apprenticeship Week Spotlights Opportunities
- New Expo Showcases AI Innovation
- Self-Care and Mental Health Tips for Caregivers
- Adventure Awaits: Discover the Playset that Brings...
- Need Auto Glass Repair? Don’t Despair
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- NOW Available: Comcast Launches NOW Brand Prepaid Internet and Mobile Services Nationwide
- Guidenar Launches New Career Test for Gen Z
- GotIt! Education Offers MathGPT Free to All State & Community Colleges
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding