While we regret the number of unopposed candidates in this year’s SGA elections, in interviews with the editorial board, they have all exhibited the potential to be competent SGA leaders for the following year.
Mark David Kennedy, who is running to become vice president for Financial Affairs, already has significant experience advancing positive reforms within the SGA. As SGA treasurer for this past year, Kennedy has supported efforts to improve transparency and fully disclose SGA spending online. He has established an endowment fund for student scholarships and recently coordinated the SGA Date Auction, which raised a record amount of money. Hopefully, he will be a visible presence in the SGA next year and have a voice that extends beyond financial affairs.
David Wilson, who is running for vice president of Student Affairs, also has great potential. His passion for addressing issues like the Freshman Year Experience, which is critical for student involvement on campus, make us hopeful that he will engage more students in SGA affairs. Wilson also hopes to work with the administration to address campus Wi-Fi, and to continue to include more groups in the Student Organization Seating process.
Clay Armentrout, candidate for vice president of Academic Affairs, is hoping to better communicate academic priorities and build on projects, like scholarships for Kaplan classes, that are already underway.
The role of the executive vice president is changing this year. Instead of primarily being responsible for overseeing the Student Senate, the EVP will now help launch and support projects in all of the SGA executive offices. Stephen Swinson, who has served as vice president for Student Affairs this past year and as assistant vice president for Student Affairs last year, has the perfect background to fulfill this role. He also has innovative ideas of his own, like encouraging policies that will encourage students to make responsible decisions, such as carpooling through using zimride.com.
The other two unopposed candidates, Alan Rose, who is running for vice president for External Affairs, and Kelsey Kurth, who is running for executive secretary, were less specific about their plans and goals. Still, they both have the qualifications necessary to serve in office, and we are confident in their ability to execute their responsibilities if, as is likely, they are elected.
We would have preferred more detailed proposals from all of the candidates. However, with no challengers, they do not have an incentive to outline specific plans. Given the lack of opposition, we see no reason to withhold support for these candidates, and we are hopeful they will do a good job next year.
Our View represents the consensus of the Crimson White editorial board.
