ACUI Open Forum

 View Only
  • 1.  Potential Consideration of Fall Student Government Elections

    Posted 03-25-2020 16:40
    Hi Team. 

    Central Washington University, as I am sure with many others, will be all online for Spring quarter, which impacts our student government election schedule. 

    Our Elections Commission is looking into online options and believe that could work based on the technology that we have, but there are also concerns that this will impact voter turnout and the ability for folks to campaign. There is also concern that the timing of rushing a spring election process would take away from a strong election. 

    That being said I am reaching out to get feedback from institutions who CURRENTLY facilitate fall elections, as opposed to spring. Seeking input on success, concerns, timeline, etc. If you currently work on a spring election cycle please feel free to follow the post, but we are specifically seeking information from schools who utilize a fall election cycle in process currently. 

    Thank you for your consideration and I hope all are staying safe and well. 

    Jeff Rosenberry
    Executive Director of Student Involvement
    Central Washington University
    rosenberryj@cwu.edu

    ------------------------------
    Jeff Rosenberry
    Executive Director of Student Involvement
    Central Washington University
    Ellensburg WA
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Potential Consideration of Fall Student Government Elections

    Posted 03-27-2020 15:04
    Jeff,

    The University of Illinois Springfield Student Government currently holds both a spring and a fall election.

    However, only four positions are filled in the fall - the freshman senator, the transfer senator, the international senator and one of the at large senators.

    The reason for the fall election is to provide those students who are new to campus the opportunity to participate right away rather than waiting until spring.

    As to timeline, the filing forms are available the first week of classes and due the following Friday. A candidate meeting is typically held the following Tuesday (4 days after the deadline) and campaigning period begins at the conclusion of the meeting. The election is held the following Wednesday and Thursday, giving students approximately 8 days to campaign.

    The SGA is currently leaning toward postponing their election until the fall for the reasons you mentioned. 

    The election is not the issue, as voting will take place through UIS Connection (Collegiate Link).

    However, the SGA members are concerned about their ability to make the campaign process fair to all students, given students' varying levels of access to online resources. On our campus there are students who have all the top of the line technology and students who are sharing one computer with several family members - or who are without wifi and have to make alternate arrangements to access the internet.

    Our SGA members - and other students - are also pretty overwhelmed right now as they are adapting to using Zoom and other forms of online teaching methods.So, running an election right now is not a top priority for them.

    That being said, there are campuses around us who have made it work and they may decide to reconsider their decision.

    Does this answer your questions?

    Cynthia Thompson








    ------------------------------
    Cynthia Thompson
    Director of Student Life
    University of Illinois–Springfield
    Springfield IL
    ------------------------------