Meredith Rodriguez
News Assistant
Elections ended, smoke cleared and Leon Dixson came out triumphant over Matt C. Davis for SGA president. Robert Romero, Jennifer Akamine and Michael Yoo will serve alongside Dixson, forming next years’ E-board.
Romero beat Juan Kim for treasurer, while Akamine and Yoo slid into their vice president and secretarial seats officially unopposed.
Dixson, who has served on SGA for the past three years, most recently as junior-class president, already has plans up his sleeve, including improving cafeteria services, increasing washing machines and adding recycling bins on campus.
“More importantly,” he said, “I am in the process of discussing student handbook revisions with Seaver administration.”
One of SGAs most pressing issues, however, is bridging the glaring communication gap between SGA and the student body.
“While Leon and I were campaigning, we found out that the students want to be more informed about what we do,” Akamine said. “Though plenty was accomplished this last year in SGA, a minimal amount was recognized by the student body.”
This problem surfaced at this year’s elections, when both a low voter-turnout as well as few candidate selections, raised concerns. Dixson said he believes the
elections were simply not publicized enough, while others suggest other explanations.
“The fact that there is such a small candidate turnout indicates that most in our school do not view SGA as an important and effective organization that they want to be a part of,” newly elected junior senator Kevin Mills said, adding that he hopes to see increased participation next year. “If SGA cannot even remain connected to the student body, then how can it possibly remain as a bridge with the administration?”
Only one senior senator and four sophomore senators officially ran for their positions, leaving space for seven write-ins. In fact, the only senator seats that presented significant competition were the junior-class seats, with eight candidates officially vying for five spots.
“I asked a few friends to vote for me,” senior write-in candidate John Jorden said. “While I am excited about serving on SGA, it is gravely disturbing how few votes were necessary to win a seat.”
Apparently Jorden sings a familiar tune, for senior write-in Dinah Galley confessed that she decided to run for her position the morning of elections.
“Wednesday morning at 8:20 a.m., I wrote my name in the write-in slot and sent an e-mail for my junior friends to do the same,” Galley said. “Carl told me I got the largest number of write-in votes, which I bet is probably like five.”
Furthermore, Julie Chang and Brendan Groves took their class-president seats unopposed. Jokingly, Chang said she thinks she won “because of my super-cool poster-making skills … either that, or because I was the only one running – take your pick.”
The sophomore-class president seat was left open, to be filled in the fall.
Though this year’s elections presented some disappointments, new representatives new representatives and write ins are developing plans to improve student government.
“Now that I have been voted on, I will treat this position just as any other I’ve had, with commitment and dedication,” senior write-in candidate Matt Davis said.
Write-in candidate Jorden is already looking toward reform.
“I think SGA can plan things that are much more interesting than free sweatshirts,” Jorden said.
Junior-class president Brendon Groves said he is likewise excited about the policy-oriented transition SGA is making.
“However, we must transition quickly and assume our new responsibilities as policy-makers without trouble,” Groves said.
Perhaps future secretary Yoo describes the position best.
“I want to make SGA a true reflection of the actual students’ needs and desires by getting as much feedback from the students as possible,” Yoo said.
Even graduating senior and current president Carl Kasalek expressed his hopes for next year.
“I really hope that next year will use the foundation that we have built this year as SGA and continue to build on top of it,” Kasalek said, lamenting that previous E-boards have wanted to come in and start from scratch. “I think by continuing to move forward, next years’ SGA will really be able to accomplish and follow through on some great changes on campus.”
03-24-2005