On Monday, March 7, OCU students received emails about the opening of Candidate Filing Applications for Student Government Association (SGA) positions for the 2022-2023 academic year. The deadline for this application was Tuesday, March 22.
On Thursday, March 24 there will be a Mandatory Candidate Seminar in the Great hall from 8 p.m., followed by a campaign staff declaration and finally the Beginning of Candidate Campaign at 9 p.m. Voting for SGA positions begins Monday, April 4 at 8 a.m. and closes Tuesday, April 5 at 5 p.m. The Inauguration Ceremony for the newly elected SGA officials will be held on Thursday, April 21 in the Great Hall at 7 p.m.
SGA is an organization of elected students who represent the interests of the student body. When asked about the importance of SGA and this election, the Dean of Students Dr. Levi Harrel-Hallmark said “SGA provides a significant platform for student voices to be heard and to bring about positive change to our campus community.”
“SGA provides involved leaders with personal and professional leadership development opportunities as they work alongside and directly with campus administrators,” said Dr. Harrel-Hallmark.
Positions now open for the SGA include Executive Cabinet Positions and Senate Positions. Executive Cabinet Positions are for the President and Vice President. The candidates for this position must run together on one ticket.
There are eligibility requirements for both executive-level positions. Both President and Vice President must have at least one semester of experience serving on any branch of the OCU SGA. The President is not allowed to serve on a presidential level for any other campus organization while holding the SGA Presidential title. Additionally, eligibility for these positions requires that the students running have completed at least two semesters as a full time student, taking at least twelve credit hours each semester at OCU.
Senate Positions open for applications include student representatives from various departments and areas of involvement. There are established districts which will all be represented by one elected student. Different districts represent bodies of students in the following areas: Music, Dance and Arts, Science & Mathematics, Social Sciences, Humanities, Business, Religion, Health Professions, Theater, Greek (life), International, and Athletics. One student will be elected to represent each district on the SGA Senate.
Additionally, there are districts reflective of classes. They include the Sophomore At-Large, Junior At-Large, Senior At-Large, and Graduate At-Large Districts. For each of these four class-based districts, two student representatives will be elected to the SGA Senate.
Eligibility for Senate applicants requires that law and graduate students maintain a GPA of at least 2.50 and undergraduate students maintain at least a 3.0 GPA at all times during the application, campaign, and time in office. Additionally, the students applying must be in good standing with the University at all times during the candidacy, office term, and during the following term as well. Students must also be a member of the district for which they are applying to represent.
With continued questions about the SGA elections process, students were encouraged to contact Chief Justice of the OCU Student Court Nick Sayegh, or Dean of Students Dr. Levi J. Harell-Hallmark.
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