In contrast to last year’s SGA Meet the Candidates Debate, “transparency” was no longer the big buzzword — this year, “awareness” seemed to ooze from all of the mouths of the candidates while discussing their platforms.
However, a bigger question remains: “Why was the ‘awareness’ of each positions applications so low?”
This year the seats of president, executive vice president, vice president of public relations and vice president of academic affairs were all uncontested — for students who participate in the electoral process, they are now “boxed in” and forced to have to vote for that candidate.
In addition to a low audience presence, the absence of questions from current position holders lurked around the auditorium as Nyomi Haynes of this year’s Election Commission asked for others to address the candidates with their concerns. Only awkward silence ensued.
The question remains – if your successor is up on stage, why not use the opportunity to ask questions on their goals and views?
However, it should also be noted that re-running candidate for Vice President of Student Life Jovan Paige and former Executive Presidential Candidate Christian Hill were the only two SGA-involved individuals from the audience that stepped up to the plate to ask questions.
We give a nod to Hill, who was previously disqualified from the 2013 SGA Elections due to a physical altercation as well as Paige, who was found not guilty of allegedly being involved in an altercation. The Dean of Students issued a statement declaring a close of the investigation case in the summer of 2014.
Both Hill and Paige held upcoming SGA position holders accountable for their words and plans. Paige demanded “tangible” or clear steps from candidates. One such example is when he questioned Candidate for VP of Student
Services Gregory LaFortune’s proposal to reduce smoking on campus. In response, LaFortune admitted to not having taken many steps himself but planned on working with other departments who already had initiatives in mind.
The two former position holders’ efforts to question and hold SGA leaders accountable for their platforms show that from past incidents, each learned that its not just student media who will ask questions, but rather the students they will potentially represent.
In a simple survey of the students on campus, The Signal gauged the awareness of upcoming SGA Elections. Some said they were a little aware while one said she didn’t know there was an election coming up at all.
The general consensus from the students was that they knew the SGA existed but didn’t know what they did or how important they are. In one biting remark, a student said, “I feel like it’s like make-believe a bit.” He later implied SGA representatives are in a way “imaginary leaders.”
This particular student credited the general apathy towards elections to general ignorance and other pressing priorities. He, like many other students, is unaware that the SGA acts like a state’s representative in Congress.
Admittedly, this isn’t only SGA’s fault, but someone has to initiate the conversation. What does SGA do besides provide free services? Theoretically, those in the SGA should know that best.
Above all things, the governmental student organization has a duty to provide a voice for the student body when it comes to important decision-making by the university.
An example of this is when SGA spoke to President Mark Becker about the Georgia Public Broadcasting partnership that would be aired over the student radio station’s time from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. The students of WRAS, the radio station, hashed out concerns with the SGA who acted as the liason.
The SGA also has a say in funds that go out to student organizations (students, this comes out of your activity fee). Even further than that, the SGA sits on a board to advise the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents (and these people have a say in your tuition, students).
This makes it important for student awareness of SGA and who they vote for. The person you place within that seat (similar to local government elections) advises on funding and other issues.
And their connections to the institutions beyond will become increasingly important as we consolidate with Georgia Perimeter College and create two-year programs under Georgia State’s banner. Will students attending the two-year program still be able to access the same resources our four-year programs access? Will tuition increase or decrease drastically?
For the capabilities and power SGA has, they should show the student body results, and in turn, students and former position holders should hold the new candidates and leaders accountable.
After the debate, there was a second chance to ask questions one-on-one with candidates. If you didn’t feel comfortable asking during the debate, you had the option to step right up to them and ask.
Spreading awareness is a good first step. But it’s time we start asking our representatives questions and hold them to their promises.
