Student Government elections are right around the corner, and before you know it, it will be time to cast your vote.
Hold on, wait a second before you roll your eyes and move to the next article: Whether the idea of electing new senators and officers in Student Government interests you or not, it is important that you pay attention to the upcoming election.
Student Government is an organization on campus that seeks to represent and advocate for students at Baylor. It is composed of about 120 students who work in the executive, legislative and judicial branches. You may not realize it, but the work Student Government does directly benefits and impacts student life.
Have you ever been upset about parking on campus? Well, Student Government made it easier to find parking spots by adding car counters, which show how many spots are left in each garage, to various garages on campus. What if your student organization is planning an event and needs extra money? Well, Student Government can make sure your event goes off without a hitch by using money from the Student Government Allocation Fund. Have you ever complained about AirBear not working? Student Government has even been working to improve Wi-Fi connection in certain locations around campus.
Additionally, the student body officers have been working with administrators and the Board of Regents to give student input on how to resolve various Title IX issues. Most recently, Student Government even helped influence the Regents’ decision to allow the student regents to have a vote after their second year.
Regardless of whether the inner workings of Student Government seem exciting to you or not, the leaders within the organization work hard to produce tangible benefits for student life.
The Student Government elections will take place April 6 and 7, but campaigning will begin March 23. In preparation, many students who are planning to run have already begun working on their campaigns.
Pretty soon, campus will be covered with campaign posters and signs, and you may find yourself listening to each candidate’s speech when they come and speak to an organization you are part of. Make sure when that happens, you truly take time to listen to what they have to say and hear how they want to make a difference on campus. Each candidate will have different goals and policy ideas they would like to implement, and it is important for you to stay informed so you can cast your vote for the candidate who best represents you.
As we have all witnessed in the last presidential election, every vote counts, and it is important to be intentional about how your vote is cast. At the end of the day, it is necessary to care about Student Government elections because the students elected represent your opinions, your needs and your voice on campus. Make sure your voice is heard.
