House, PC to begin year with new leader, representatives
SGA expects online voting to prompt an even greater increase in voter participation than last year. Students can vote online today for candidates seeking position in Student Government Association’s House of Representatives election.
By Emily Turner
Staff Reporter

The Student Government Association is expecting an increase in voter turnout from last year as it continues with the online voting system in today’s House of Student Representative’s election, said House Vice President John Billingsley.

“I definitely think having the ballots online gets more students to vote,” Billingsley said.

Voting increased by 30 percent between last year and November 2000 because students received an e-mail link to the voting site, said Billingsley, a senior accounting major.

Lauren Wilder, a junior nursing major, has voted in every online SGA election. She said she plans on voting this year too — as long as she gets the e-mail to vote.

“I think it’s easier because everyone checks their e-mail,” she said.

Larry Markley, SGA advisor, said the goals for this year will be discussed after new representatives are elected and attend the House retreat on Saturday. He said the retreat gives old members a chance to train the freshmen while allowing new representatives to share their ideas.

“This is when the goals get expanded or deleted,” Markley said. “This year’s goals are still in the works.”

Markley said freshmen will probably make up 50 percent of the House. “It’s good to get the freshmen started early,” he said. “Hopefully, they will get involved and stay in the House.”

All students living in residence halls, including the fraternity and sorority houses, and commuters are given the chance to be part of the House, said Billingsley.

To run for a representative position, commuters and students living on campus were required to fill out an application, while the Greek houses each nominated one representative, said Chris Mattingly, chairman of election and regulations.

He also said while it is easy to recruit on-campus representatives, commuter representatives are difficult to find.

“Commuter representatives have to fill out an application, but do not have to run in the election,” Billingsley said. “They have to get at least five other commuter signatures to be eligible to be a part of the House.”

Besides having a voice in the house, Billingsley said each representative brings new ideas and concerns to SGA’s attention. In addition to the House meetings, he also said each representative is required to serve on a committee that meets once a week.

“Committees give representatives a chance to do something besides just voting yes or no at a House meeting,” Billingsley said.

The House will meet for the first time on Sept. 17 in the Student Center, Room 222. Billingsley said all students are welcome to sit in on meetings throughout the year.