Leslie Johnson
Reporter
Campaigns and elections for the 2004-2005 administration of Student Government Association have been delayed until March 16. Elections were to originally take place on March 2, but due to a combination of lack of advertising and scheduling issues, the executive council made the decision to postpone.
Elections have traditionally occurred after Spring Break. According to SGA
President Andrew Hopper, one of the reasons the election was postponed is
because students “…just aren’t thinking about elections right now, and elections
were not publicized enough.”
SGA Director of Public Relations Deke Bowman said that the executive council
wants to eventually hold elections before Spring Break, but that this would
require an “extensive PR campaign to change the public mindset from what they
have known in the past.”
According to SGA Secretary Jacqie Patterson, the paperwork and advertising
simply didn’t “come together in time” and they needed to give students more time
to consider running. Bowman said that a lack of advertising by SGA’s public
relations was a contributing factor, but not the sole reason to the delay.
After elections occur, the new administration will co-exist with the old for
three meetings and then take over on Apr. 6. This change, according to Treasurer
Kaitie Anderson, will provide “an opportunity for the new administration to be
trained to do their jobs and have an opportunity to learn from those who had
held the positions for the last year.”
Both Anderson and Hopper said that the delay of elections will not affect the
implementation of the new administration. SGA hopes to have as many people
involved in elections this year as possible. It is providing $10 compensation
for campaigning materials to prospective candidates to encourage competition.
“The increased time should provide ample opportunity for all individuals to
consider running and serving,” Hopper said.
Individuals who are interested in running for office should pick up a petition/
application in the Student Life office or online at milligan.edu/sga/forms.htm.
Applications are due March 2.