With busy class schedules causing scheduling issues and a senator being promoted, three senate seats are open in the Student Government Association.

Marilyn Henry and Madison Pfingston resigned, and Danielle Hawks was elected in Spring 2009 to Vice President of Administration, according to Steve Meier, associate to the Dean of Students.

‘I decided to not participate in SGA this year because my school and work schedule interfered with meeting times,’ Pfingston said in an e-mail.

SGA President K. Keith Kaseke understands the difficult choice of having to drop out, realizing school comes first.

‘We are happy for those who dropped out because we realize that class is the number one priority for all of us and there are some classes that are just not offered during any other time,’ Kaseke said.

Danielle Hawks, who won her Executive Council seat in the spring election for the 2009-2010 school year, had to re-run for her seat because the entire election was voided.

Senators are elected twice a year; 15 in the Fall, and another 15 in the Spring. Hawks was elected in the Fall, and since those elected to a Senate seat serve an entire year, Hawk’s seat is open, according to the old SGA Constitution.

With her old Senate seat open, Hawks would ‘really like to see a student, in that position, that is passionate about giving back to the university and willing to think critically about the future well-being of the students and the university. Also, someone involved in an organization or a major that is not already represented within the Senate would certainly be a plus.’

‘The wider variety of voices we have on the Senate, the more interesting Senate debates about legislation become in hopes of remembering every population of students,’ Hawks said.

As for the future of SGA, Hawks wants to get the word out about what SGA does.

‘ ‘A startling number of students have no idea what SGA is or what we do,’ he said. ‘Our executive team this year is committed to getting more students’ input, to getting more students involved and just being able to talk about SGA without having someone say, ‘What’s that?”

Pfingston offered advice for those who are considering running for a position in SGA:

‘As for new people, they should just spread the word that they’re running. All students who are interested in SGA should run (if you meet the GPA requirements and such),’ she said.
Marilyn Henry could not be reached for comment.