SGA needs three senators

As any expert will tell you, communication is key in a good
relationship.

The old saying also holds true for the Student Government
Association who will be holding the opportunity for CMU students to run
for three open Senate seats at their Sept. 26 meeting.

“We’re looking for someone that has a good work ethic, that’s good
at communicating back to the Senate,” said Student Body President Steve
Poe. “Communicating information that’s going to represent the student
body, figuring out what their needs are and reporting that back to the
Senate.”

Graduate and undergraduate students with a minimum 2.0 grade-point
average and at least six credit hours who are interested in running for
the vacant slots will need to attend the SGA General Assembly meeting
at 7 p.m. in Dow 102.

Candidates will give two to three minute speeches explaining their
intentions for running to the general assembly, which consists of both
the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The general assembly also will pose a few questions for each of the
candidates before selecting new senators through a secret ballot.

“It’s not really that rigid of a process, but it’s rigid enough to
keep the integrity of the Senate intact,” said John Kaczynski, senate
leader and Midland graduate student.

When elected, senators will spend an average of up to five hours a
week working for the SGA, which will include talking to and finding out
their demographics’ needs on campus and sitting on committee meetings
once a month.

Poe, an Ohio native, expressed his wishes for candidates who are
more than willing to sacrifice their time for their fellow students -
while not abusing their power at the same time.

“(We want) someone that can vote not for what they personally want,”
Poe said. “Not their personal beliefs – they’re voting on behalf of the
students, and that’s sometimes hard to do because you’re tempted to
vote the way you want and not the way the students want.”

While representing the student body is the candidates main priority,
it also is an opportunity for those who run and have aspirations in
government or other leadership positions, to garner valuable knowledge
and know-how.

“It’s not only a great experience to be able to be a public service
to the students here at Central, but it’s also a great experience to be
able to get involved in the governing process,” Kaczynski said. “Also,
the networking that happens within the SGA is incredible. I wouldn’t
see a reason why a student wouldn’t want to get involved.”