The Saint Mary's College Student Government Association (SGA) passed legislation outlining the future structure of Senate and announced the dates of the upcoming College-wide elections in their meeting Tuesday.
The student body election period will take place from Feb. 27 to March 1. Candidates for SGA, Residence Hall Association, Student Activities Board, Student Diversity Board, student body president and vice president may begin campaigning Feb. 26. The results of the elections on March 1 will be announced the following day.
Senate and Class Board candidates may begin campaigning March 4 for the March 8 elections, with results announced March 9. Current juniors, sophomores and first years can campaign for Senate positions during this period.
Incoming first years will round out the Senate with elections in September.
SGA members will staff an informational table from Feb. 13-17 to introduce students to the future structure of SGA. Though the table's location has yet to be determined, SGA members will inform them about the election process, executive secretary Emma Brink said.
"We are committed to getting as many students as possible to participate in the elections, whether by running or voting," Brink said.
Brink said SGA hopes the presence of the informational table will increase voter participation in the upcoming election. Part of SGA's new structure will involve incorporating creative ways to get more students to vote and promoting enthusiasm about running for Senate.
In its meeting, SGA also approved legislation outlining the new structure of the Senate, which will now be comprised of fifteen students who represent diverse interests and student involvement at Saint Mary's. The students will be divided by class year to guarantee fair representation of the student body, with positions allocated for four seniors, four juniors, four sophomores and three first years.
"SGA is extremely excited to introduce the new structure to students and promote the new opportunities that students will have on the Senate," Brink said.
