The Sam Houston State University Student Government Association’s (SGA) annual election is now open.
SHSU students have the chance to vote for new members of the SGA executive board and legislative senators.
The SGA is meant to promote the welfare of the student body, academic excellence and civic engagement. They advocate for students, voicing their concerns and opinions to the SHSU Administration, the Texas State University System Board of Regents and elected officials.
The purpose of the SGA, as stated on its website, is to serve as the official voice of the student body as its democratically elected representatives. SGA’s motto is, “We are an organization of students by students and for students.”
“SGA representatives serve as the voice of the student body,” Student Body President Briauna Augustus said. “For that reason alone it is important for the students to vote for individuals that they think best represent what they want on their campus. Just as you would for a state representative to represent the state to the nation.”
The SGA consists of both students in the undergraduate and graduate levels from all different departments on campus. Membership consists of up to 15 students from each academic college on campus. Any student with 12 SHSU credit hours and at least a 2.0 GPA may run for office as a senator for their respective college. They may run in the general body election in the spring or may enter the Senate at any time through a vote of the current Senate. Any student with less than 12 SHSU credit hours may become a counselor in the SGA council.
The executive board consists of the president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and chief of staff elected by the student body. The executive board acts in capacity to streamline the business of the student Senate, enforce any legislation produced by the student Senate and acts as the bridge between the student body as well as campus and State Administration.
“Characteristics of a good candidate for the executive board, in my opinion, include maintaining good character by upholding integrity, an ability to follow rules and a passion for wanting to serve others, not themselves,” Augustus said.
The legislative board consists of senators from each of the academic colleges on campus and members of the SGA Council. Their role includes drafting legislation, facilitating talks with students, hosting events and taking actions that benefit the student body.
“I, personally, am looking for candidates that are willing to do what needs to be done to better the time that students have during their undergraduate, graduate, master’s and doctoral years at Sam Houston,” Student Body Chief of Staff Karla Victor said. “While also, informing and answering the questions that students have to why Sam Houston is the way it is.”
The SHSU student body will have a chance to vote for the candidate they feel will best represent the students’ voices.
“An email will be disbursed to all SHSU students with a link to where they can vote in the SGA elections,” Administrative Coordinator Erika Wright said. “Students will be able to click on the link in the email and vote for the candidates.”
The email will include the list of candidates, the positions they are running for and a short biography for each person.
Voting begins today at 8 a.m. ends March 29 at 5 p.m. After the election is closed and the results are finalized, the list of new elected members will be posted outside of the SGA office.
All students are encouraged to vote and pick the candidates they feel will best represent their student body.
For more information on how to join SGA, students should stop by the SGA office in the Lowman Student Center room 326.
Candidates for SGA Executive Board
President:
• Taylor Bailey
• David Eller
• Chloe Henze
Vice President:
• Alexus Hardy
• Chase Lee
• Kelechi Ofoegbu
Secretary:
• Ruby Bui
• Andrea Diaz
• Reese Evans
• Jaidyn Wilkerson
Treasurer:
• Sam Lacy
• Matthew Dale Peacock
• Christian O’Keith Wolford
Chief of Staff:
• Makayla Nicole Baker
• Travon Brown
• Amanda Lee
• Kelechi Ofoegbu
