American voters have dictated that the 2016 presidential election will be the end of establishment politicians, and the Editorial Board is sharing that same fervor. Within the coming weeks, the Student Association Planning, Research and Elections committee (PRE) will begin accepting letters of intent for SA E-Board positions, and we would love to see new faces applying for the spots.
Throughout the years, we have seen many of the same people apply for positions in the SA. The presidential election always seems to be narrowed down to a candidate with the Greek vote and a candidate groomed within the SA. The SA has come to be viewed more as an additional club on campus, consisting of a group of people with similar backgrounds and interests. But it doesn’t have to be like this. There is certainly nothing wrong with the current SA, but it would be great to see a greater variety of representation in our student government.
Being on the Student Association is a job, not a club responsibility. There are countless BU students who hold leadership positions that could make them qualified for a spot on the SA executive board. Just because you haven’t been involved in student government before does not mean that your window of opportunity has closed. Last year, Ruslan Klafehn became vice president of multicultural affairs in what started as a write-in campaign. He was not a part of the Student Association — he was virtually an outsider when he ran for the position.
Many students voice concerns or issues regarding different aspects of campus, from diversity to student affairs and resources. The SA E-Board positions offer students a platform to address obstacles, and many members of the Binghamton University undergraduate community do no take advantage of this opportunity for change.
If you are not interested in running, do not let that turn you away from being informed. Take the time to really engage this election season, get to know the candidates and cast well-informed votes. SA E-Board positions come with power and responsibility — SA E-Board members operate with over a $2 million budget and it is important to be mindful of who is elected. They will have a major impact on the campus community.
If you’ve never considered the SA before, think about it again. Run on a platform that is fresh, or that addresses a new side of the University. If running for office isn’t your thing, reach out to presidents of clubs you are involved in and encourage them to pursue a position. We all have issues that we care deeply for. Whether you want to revitalize Harpur’s Ferry or create more tutoring services on campus, you have the power to do so. The SA needs a new voice and you can be it.