SGA debate showcases new administration

The candidates who were running for a spot on the Student Government Association

(SGA) executive board went to head-to-head Monday before Wednesday's election. In a debate facilitated by current Vice President of Internal Affairs Marcus Cooper, along with moderators Chairwoman of Governing Laws Sarah-Jane Houston and Director of Elections Adarian Chambers, the debate gave the candidates an opportunity to promote their individual campaigns while also expressing the need for unity.

Students were able to submit questions virtually or attend and ask questions directly to

the candidates.

Caleb Smith (oresidential candidate); Kendall Ard and Jayden McQueen (executive vice

president candidates); Christopher Hood (vice president of internal affairs candidate); and Liz Smith and Gia Fuller (executive secretary candidates) all expressed uniquely different goals, while also unanimously promoting colaboration between positions and open-door policies if elected.

When asked what qualities make an efficient executive vice president, both Ard and

McQueen stressed the significance of the Senate.

“Two of my chapter points are outreach and order, which is really important for my slogan

‘Keep up with Kendall,’” Ard said. “I want you to keep up with me and all the activities that

we’re doing in the Senate.

“I also want to have an open-door policy.”

McQueen said without institutional knowledge of how things work, there is no effective

way to function as the executive vice president.

“Respectfully, we are very important up here, but the senators are ultimately doing the

legislation,” McQueen said. “We can only help facilitate them.”

When asked about plans to increase student participation in SGA elections, Hood suggested highlighting the organization’s accomplishments.

“One of the ways we can increase interest in SGA is by showing the student body more of what SGA has done for them,” Hood said. “It can be a great developmental tool, and I believe there are many students who would enjoy being a part of SGA.

“The biggest way to increase interest is to provide more opportunities for students to

reach out and try.”

When asked about balancing secretarial responsibilities, Smith and Fuller both cited timemanagement as a valuable resource.

“With the secretary having so many jobs in a day, we’re the oil in the machine,” Smith

said.“While we may be overlooked, if we don’t do our job, the machine of SGA doesn’t work.

“Being organized with a well-thought-out plan is really important.”

Fuller believes that because of her experiences with other campus organizations, she has

a better idea of how to lead and manage her time well.

“Knowing what you can handle, as well as your limits, is very important,” Fuller said. “I

plan to utilize what I already know about myself to make sure that both me and the senators are planning accordingly.”

SGA elections took place March 5. To learn more about each elected candidate, see next

week’s edition of The Tropolitan.