SGA candidates debate student participation

Increasing student participation was a prominent topic discussed during the Student Government Association’s senatorial debate Monday night.

Twenty potential senators discussed issues they say have contributed to students’ attitudes about SGA and other university activities and organizations.

“I think obviously we need to be more active in getting students informed, engaged and involved in what is going on,” senatorial candidate Lee Vogler said. “I would certainly like to see more students involved.”

Candidates discussed how to increase involvement in extracurricular activities and university events, such as Ram Spirit Fest. In addition to the debate, the SGA has worked on other projects to increase student involvement.

In the last weeks before Virginia’s voting-registration deadline on Oct. 6., the SGA announced its goal of registering 5,000 students in the U.S. presidential election. They ended up registering several hundred students.

“It is definitely less than what we were shooting for,” said SGA President Jibran Muhammad. “We could have done better if we had planned carefully.”

Jonathan Ward, chair of the legislative affairs committee, was involved in the in-class registration drive. He says students need to be involved in the election.

“We want to increase the voice of the student body,” Ward said. “There are issues that are important to us (in the presidential election) as students.”

At the SGA debate, candidates also advocated ideas such as combining similar student organizations. Most candidates agreed school spirit needs to be revamped and more measures need to be taken to incorporate the student body.

“The students aren’t going to tell us what they want because . they don’t know we exist and they’re apathetic. They don’t care,” candidate Robert Showah said.

The last day to vote in SGA senate elections is Oct. 9.