SGA seeks more diversity among the ranks this election

Wanted: 50 students to fill the Student Government Association Senate seats as well as the positions of VCU’s student body president and vice president. Interested students have until 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, to turn in their candidate registration forms.

John Wie, SGA elections director, last week said he expected many students to file for election even though only a few showed up at the candidate information session.

“I hope this whole room will be full, and I’ll get rid of these (packets),” Wie said at last week’s session.

Students from the College of Humanities and Sciences now occupy the majority of Senate seats, Wie said, and he seeks more diversity among the ranks.

“(SGA is) overrepresented by the humanities and sciences, and we need more people from engineering and such,” he said.

Myo-Thwin Myint, speaker of the Senate, said the SGA also is working with the arts and education schools to solicit student candidates in those areas.

Timothy Reed, director of the University Student Commons and activities, said the elections committee is working to compile a listserv of students within the underrepresented colleges, so it can send information directly to them.

“Getting information out is not an easy thing,” Reed said.

Candidates begin campaigning Monday, March 3, and continue until Election Day, Monday, March 31. Presidential candidates — both president and vice president — must participate in a public debate at noon, Tuesday, March 25, at the Student Commons.

Voting begins at 8 a.m. Monday, March 31, and continues until 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 2. Students may cast their votes on the VCU Web site.

Candidates require a cumulative 2.0 Grade Point Average, enrollment in a course offering one or more credits and be in good academic standing. Candidates also must provide a document listing 100 signatures from students supporting them.

Registration forms are available through the Student Activities Center in the Commons. In addition, students can retrieve information on SGA’s home page through the VCU Web site.