By Deven Malone
With the 2016 spring semester coming to an end, Student Government Association’s (SGA) leaders say they will direct their focus on the future of the organization.
SGA will hold elections May 2-5 online, to determine who will represent Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s student body next academic year.
“It is important for students to vote because you are deciding who is voicing your opinion,” said SGA President Allison Garcia. “You are deciding who will be your voice to the administration.”
Students can vote online through JagSync on the SGA’s page before midnight on Thursday, May 5.
Erick De Luna, SGA chief justice, and Brian Harrin, current student body vice president, are running on a president and vice president ticket unopposed.
“I think this sky’s the limit when it comes to A&M San Antonio,” De Luna said. “I want to be a part of something bigger than me. I want to represent students.”
Several are running for student senatorial positions and campaigning for votes from the campus body. Senators play a pivotal role in university life and act as voices for students.
Caitlyn Pleake, biology and english senior, said she already cast her vote.
“You are controlling who will represent you as a student body,” Pleake said. “It is like the presidential election but for a smaller community.”
The ballot includes three open senatorial positions, two for each college.
College of Business Senators
- Juliet Dzakuma
College of Education and Human Development Senators
- Joshua St. John
- Alexandra Anguiano
College of Arts and Sciences Senators
- Adrienne Reyes
- David Flores
Some senator positions will be left open for new students starting school in the fall. SGA annually holds fall elections to ensure new students have an opportunity to be involved in the program.
SGA’s last senate meeting of the spring semester will be May 6 4 p.m. in the Patriots’ Casa Den. The swearing in ceremony for the newly elected representatives will immediately follow the meeting.
“By having these representatives in office, they are not just senators, their whole goal is to make sure students are happy on campus and getting what they need.” Garcia said.