Kate Schwartz
Staff Writer
The Pepperdine student body is creating voting setbacks for the SGA special elections. In the fall elections a lack of candidates left three senator seats vacant. Students were then appointed by executive board members to fill the positions that remained vacant after the cancelled November special elections.
This semester’s special elections closely resemble last semester’s. There are two sophomore senator positions as well as a Towers senator position yet to be filled. Sophomores Bethany Estrada and Larissa Lostrom are the only two students running to fill those three spots.
In their regular meeting Wednesday night, SGA discussed the possibility of canceling the special elections, scheduled for next Wednesday, for a second time.
Due to the recent revision to the constitution, however, canceling the elections again may not be allowed. According the constitution, all senator positions must be filled with candidates elected by the students themselves.
Larissa Lostrom, one of the candidates for a sophomore senator position, is indifferent about the possibility of another cancellation.
“It would be nice to campaign and advertise for the election just to experience the normal process, but I am fine either way,” Lostrom said. “I know that SGA will make the best decision for the student body.”
Some students said this might undermine the voice of the student body in selecting the people who will ultimately represent them.
Sophomore Mark Tarro, however, does not see it as a threat to student involvement.
“I honestly don’t mind whether or not they hold the elections,” Tarro said. “I think it is pointless to hold elections for the positions if there is no competition.”
SGA President Kevin Mills said special elections will take place regardless of the lack of candidates.
Elections are scheduled to take place Wednesday, Jan. 24 through Friday, Jan. 26. Students can vote in the Caf or online at studentorgs.pepperdine.edu/sga/.
Other topics covered at yesterday’s meeting included a presentation by Chris Collins, Convocation and Student-led Ministries coordinator, regarding possible improvements to this semester’s convocation.
Suggestions such as increasing the number of convocations at the end of the semester and the possibility of making convocations more faith-based were discussed.
A resolution was also unanimously passed confirming that the student government will work with the administration to create a leadership minor to be in next year’s course catalog.
01-18-2007