It’s election day! On campus, this means the two-day long Student Government Association elections. Today we are voting for student body president and college representatives. This blog has featured several SGA voices already who spoke specifically over free speech. This week, I spoke with Aiden Dodd, a freshman running for University College representative. Many people, especially freshmen, are completely unaware of SGA, much less the elections going on today and tomorrow. Aiden was happy to share some background.
“SGA is the union for the students – basically the advocate to the higher-ups of the university for the students.”
For those who do not think elections affect them very much, Aiden was able to clarify the impact the SGA has on undergraduate students.
“Elections are a big deal,” he emphasized. “You need someone who’s not afraid to stand up to the people in charge.”
Additionally, Aiden pointed out the influence the students elected will have.
“A rule I make now could still be affecting [you],” Aiden explained. For freshmen on campus, the policies put into place this year could potentially affect them for three more years.
On top of that, some of the fees every student pays go to SGA.
“You’re paying $115.75 for it per semester,” Aiden reported.
Since Aiden is running in the election, he has been campaigning. This has included everything from making graphics and posters, taking headshots for the candidate pamphlet, and, of course, talking to his potential constituents.
“I have big ideas and see the changes that need to be made for the university to thrive,” Aiden told me.
Aiden has received positive feedback as he has gone through the process of encouraging his peers to vote.
“They are excited after I explain it to them.”
Across the country, it is election day. At the University of Oklahoma, we are lucky to have our own elections as well. If students take advantage of opportunities to keep up with campus events and elections, they can learn to uphold their civil responsibility in life beyond college.