Twenty-two officers, senators running for government seats

Editor’s note: The official list of candidates is subject to change at any time prior to elections. Eight candidates are running for both officer and senate positions but may only accept one.

Students once again may choose their Student Government Association representatives on April 20 and 21, including the nomination of 22 officers and senators.

Four candidates hope to replace Sara Khalifa for the role of president, including current secretary Julia Ann Apoderado and senators Brakeyshia Samms, Tiffany Allison and Michael Suarez.

Apoderado said she consulted Khalifa before deciding to seek the post.

“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while,” she said. “After talking to Sara, I’ve gotten a good grasp of what they do. I think I can help improve the campus from that position.”

SGA senators appointed Apoderado as secretary when Yesenia Lugo stepped down from the position in January.

Samms, who currently serves as senator of the College of Arts and Sciences, said her desire to be president coincides with her desire to serve the student body.

“I want to put (students) first; I want to get their voices heard,” she said. “I think that I’m a leader, and I can make that happen.”

Samms recently promoted a resolution to distribute Scantron forms and blue books during finals week to students in each campus building, limiting the need to visit the bookstore before exams.

Allison also represents the College of Arts and Sciences, in addition to her service as treasurer of the Alpha Chi Honor Society.

She said her two years of experience in SGA contribute to her ability to lead the student body.

“In those two years, I have been able to help with the establishment of dead days which will now be implemented this fall,” she said. “I have also been serving on the Honor Code Committee with a goal of implementing an honor-code policy in the near future.”

Suarez’s work with SGA includes the initial coordination of the upcoming foam party.

He said the foundation of his campaign is his involvement in student activities and his devotion to working for the benefit of all students.

“What I offer as potential president is the agenda I plan to pursue: to better the campus according to the desires of the student population,” he said. “I am involved on campus not only in clubs, but by being socially outgoing, meeting new people and continually being present on campus.”

Rene Hernandez plans to run for a reportedly unprecedented fourth term as parliamentarian.

Hernandez first joined SGA in May of 2006 as a senator for University Pines Apartments, before serving a term as secretary.

“I think that in the end, I enjoy the challenge of SGA,” he said. “It isn’t something that can ever really get old because each year brings new senators, new officers, new problems and new contacts within the University.”

There are currently a total of 22 candidates running for office, 11 of which are vying for an officer position.

Regardless of the outcome, there will be vacant senate seats in the Colleges of Engineering and Computer Science and Nursing and Health Sciences.

Additionally, no students plan to seek a senate seat for the freshman, Patriot Village, University Pines, Ornelas Hall, Palestine or Longview categories.

Drew White and Jamie Newburn, senators from the freshman class and College of Arts and Sciences respectively, each plan to challenge Hernandez is his bid for another term as parliamentarian.

Nathan Landers and Amber Amerson plan to compete for treasurer.

Lee Radley, who currently holds the position, removed his name from consideration after a candidates meeting held last week.

Bradley Pennington and Kortlan Porter are running uncontested for the positions of secretary and vice president, respectively.

Hernandez said voting will once again be facilitated online via Qualtrics software, which election officials began using last fall.

Students can expect to receive a link to the ballot via their student e-mail account.

SGA representatives also plan to set up polling stations in the University Center and Herrington Patriot Center.

These buildings must be free of promotional campaign materials on the day of elections, according to the official SGA bylaws.

The bylaws also require candidates who wish to distribute handbills to do so on a person-to-person basis.

Hernandez said any candidates who violate these or other restrictions designated in the bylaws are subject to punishment by the SGA judicial board.

“There is literally no limit to what they can do, as long as it’s legal,” he said. “It can be anything from removal of fliers, to removal from the election, to removal from office if you’re already voted in.”

Khalifa experienced judicial board procedure firsthand last spring when another presidential candidate, Rusty Kuciemba, disputed her victory because of an action he said gave her an unfair advantage.

Khalifa sent an e-mail to student organization leaders and advisers prior to elections requesting to speak with group members about her candidacy.

Ultimately, the election results were deemed valid and Khalifa won the position.

Senate candidates for the College of Arts and Sciences include Robert Miller, Brakeyshia Samms, Addison Gribbin, Bradley Pennington, Amber Amerson, Tiffany Allison, Daniel Simpson and Tyler Dietz.

Senate candidates for the College of Business and Technology include Brian Zemer, Nalini Patel, Julie Ann Apoderado and Kevin Judy.

Senate candidates for the College of Education and Psychology include Jamie Newburn, Sara Deitrick and Catherine Naylor.

Senate candidates for the College of Engineering and Computer Science include Nathan Landers and Kortlan Porter.

Meredith Boardman is the only candidate for College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Students may vote for each officer position, but may only vote for senators representing the college in which they attend.