Today marks the first day of elections for Senate positions in the Undergraduate Student Association. Voting will take place in the Student Union, and will only last for two days. Because Senate members hold the power to recognize clubs, set organizational budgets and even recall executive officers, it is important that students cast their ballot in favor of a candidate who will represent the student body appropriately.
The Senate, which is comprised of 12 elected and 10 ex-officio members, has broad powers to dictate the future of student life. For example, the decision to allocate no funding to the Linda Yalem Memorial Run this year was made by last year's Senate members. Additionally, the Senate has power to recall officers that have committed illegal acts or constitutional breaches. The Senate also has the power to override some decisions made by the SA President, making them an integral check to Executive Branch power.
High controversy surrounds this year's Senate election, making it all the more important for students to be aware of the issues and involved in voting. All of the members of State University of New York Student Assembly are running for Senate, and a suit was brought to the Student-Wide Judiciary arguing the four SUNY SA candidates were part of the executive branch and thus could not run for Senate.
They were ultimately allowed to run, and students must now decide for themselves whether the perceived overlap of executive and legislative power is acceptable or dangerous.
There are four parties vying for Senatorial power this year - Unity, UB Voice, Focus and UB Chillin' (though UB Chillin' technically only has a single member). Additionally, there are three independent students running for office.
One thing is clear: your vote can make a difference. Last year, out of 17,290 undergraduate students, only 1,006 voted. One senator won her position with just 93 votes. The stakes are high, and the turnout is always abysmally low. The Spectrum urges all undergraduates to speak with candidates running for office and to vote for those who will best represent the student body.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
