From the beginning of my experience at the Capstone, I knew the Student Government Association was the perfect fit for me. Last year, I had the honor of serving as the Secretary of First Year Council, and currently I am serving as the Associate Executive Vice-President. I have learned through my time in SGA that a resilient, sustainable relationship with the student body is invaluable. Further, these positions have given me much-needed experience to run for the esteemed position of Executive Secretary.

The Executive Secretary’s role within the SGA is to provide accurate documentation of events and initiatives and to keep updated records for students to easily access. For collaboration to occur with SGA and the student body, it is imperative that students can access this information. If elected, I will make this my utmost priority. I will communicate clearly with students and work to increase the transparency between SGA and the student body at large.

One of the first initiatives I would implement if elected would be a program titled “Let’s Talk.” This program would allow students to immediately communicate their concerns or suggestions with the SGA and, more specifically, with myself, through a link on both the SGA website and myBama. These concerns could be as small as wanting to place more ACT card scanners on vending machines around campus or as large as wanting to lower the transportation ticketing charges. As well as voicing concerns, students would be encouraged to submit ideas for projects or events they would like to see developed, such as bringing a local legislator to the University.

Oftentimes, students have brilliant ideas but do not know where to begin or what resources to utilize. As soon as a student submits a concern or idea, I would respond immediately and begin a collaboration process in order to make their concern a solution or to turn their idea into a sustainable project for the University. This initiative would open that door for the students at The University of Alabama and would give the students a stronger, more powerful voice.

In addition to “Let’s Talk,” I recently organized the Alabama Legislative Update that was sponsored by SGA, College Republicans and College Democrats. Through organizing this event, I was able to fully understand that collaboration of organizations around campus is vital. I was able to utilize the resources of the other organizations in order to create a successful experience, which attracted a diverse and large group of students. As Executive Secretary, I would like to grow the Alabama Legislative Update even more by creating events with local legislators to inform students how current legislation and policies are affecting them as students at the University.

If elected as Executive Secretary, I promise that I will make it a priority to keep an open and friendly atmosphere within the SGA that encourages students to voice any concerns or ideas that they may have and gives them the confidence that I will be there to listen, to collaborate and to help.

Thank you all so much for your support, and I would be honored to have your vote.

Polly Ricketts is a candidate for the position of SGA Executive Secretary.