I’d like to offer some advice to keep in mind before and during SGA elections this year.
First and foremost, be informed. I can’t stress this point enough. Talk to the candidates; find out what they plan to do forUTM. Pick a candidate who best lines up with your own visions for UTM. When you vote for someone that doesn’t have the same values you have or want the same things for UTM, then you fail to allow yourself to be represented fairly.
Another thing to keep in mind is to not just pick a familiar name or the name of a friend. Of course, we all want to see our friends succeed in what they do, but that doesn’t always make them the right person for the job. It isn’t fair to the student body to vote for someone because you are friends with them.
Keep in mind that the elected candidates will be the ones representing the student body, including you and me, for the entire next year. They represent us not only on this campus but also to the entire UT system as well as to the Tennessee State Legislature. Let’s at least try to make sure the ones we elect will represent us justly.
Something else I would suggest keeping in mind would be not to vote for one person or party just because someone told you to. As college students, we should be able to think for ourselves, so exercise your ability to do so on April 2.
Another thing I would recommend not doing is saying that SGA elections don’t matter, because they do. Though I understand politics do not interest some people, it would be beneficial to remember that the people you elect are the very ones who can vote to increase tuition. They decide where some of our money goes and how much of it goes where; they decide what new fees to tack on where. The ones we elect are the ones that communicate with the UT executives on what we need.
When researching the candidates, also keep in mind those who have held office before. Take note of the policies that were voted on. If they don’t line up with what you wanted, remember that. Most likely people do not drastically alter the types of legislation they approve or sponsor.
I’m not saying that anyone who has been in office before this semester is bad. I’m just simply reminding students to not get caught in the trap of voting only with your heart.
