SGA's Open Door
by David Hoffman
20 positions will be filled in the SGA election next month, and students interested in those positions have until this Friday, March 14th, to submit their applications. For me, joining a really outstanding college SGA was among the best and most consequential decisions I've ever made, an early step on a journey of self-discovery through which I identified the contributions I want to make with my life and career. But I know that especially for an introvert like me, the prospect of having to compete in an election was discouraging. Nothing about it appealed to me.
I want to share a few reasons not to be discouraged, and to give it a try. But first, some inspiration from Kaylesh Ramu, last year's SGA President, on the real purpose of SGA and your education:
A key take-away, from Kaylesh's reflections and my own experience: At UMBC, SGA is not just a game for wannabe politicians. It's the central gathering spot for students who want to use their time at UMBC to enact positive change on campus and beyond, and in doing so learn how to enact positive change, and empower other students to do the same. It's about community.
Some facts about SGA and the election:
Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from the Office of Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.
20 positions will be filled in the SGA election next month, and students interested in those positions have until this Friday, March 14th, to submit their applications. For me, joining a really outstanding college SGA was among the best and most consequential decisions I've ever made, an early step on a journey of self-discovery through which I identified the contributions I want to make with my life and career. But I know that especially for an introvert like me, the prospect of having to compete in an election was discouraging. Nothing about it appealed to me.
I want to share a few reasons not to be discouraged, and to give it a try. But first, some inspiration from Kaylesh Ramu, last year's SGA President, on the real purpose of SGA and your education:
A key take-away, from Kaylesh's reflections and my own experience: At UMBC, SGA is not just a game for wannabe politicians. It's the central gathering spot for students who want to use their time at UMBC to enact positive change on campus and beyond, and in doing so learn how to enact positive change, and empower other students to do the same. It's about community.
Some facts about SGA and the election:
- No experience is necessary to hold any of the SGA elected positions. All officers will receive the training they need to succeed, and will have the support of a full-time advisor.
- The election will take place from Monday, April 21st through Wednesday, April 23rd. Voting will take place online through MyUMBC.
- SGA's Election Board will create easy ways for candidates to share their visions, hopes and ideas with students, including a website (to which you can provide links via email or social media). The Election Board will also provide candidates with some funds to use at Commonvision for printed materials. You do not need to spend any of your own money to run an effective campaign.
- Thousands of students will vote. That means nobody is going to be elected just because they have the most friends.
- The election is very unlikely to feel like a cutthroat competition, for several reasons. First, the top 11 vote recipients for Senate and the top 5 vote recipients for Finance Board will be elected. For those positions, there are no one-on-one contests; nobody is really running "against" anybody, just trying to get the most support. Also, unsuccessful candidates can still serve in SGA positions (just not the elected ones), so the stakes don't feel like life-and-death. And finally ... most candidates recognize that it's totally unhelpful to be elected after having run a mean-spirited campaign that alienates others. The election is a chance to share hopes; it would only hurt the eventual winners for it to take on a nasty tone.
- Officers elected will serve from May 15, 2014 through May 15, 2015.
- Every elected officer receives a stipend (for this year, $541 for Senators and Finance Board members, more for top leadership positions).
Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from the Office of Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.
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Posted: March 11, 2014, 12:34 PM