Freshman elections begin

New students can run for Student Senate this month

By Erin Sommer

Monday, August 13, 2007

Freshman elections for Student Senate begin this week.

Student Senate members will be at the KU Info Fairs on Tuesday and Friday to pass out information to freshmen interested in running for Senate.

Adam McGonigle, Wichita sophomore and chairman of the Student Senate Executive Committee, said the election helped get new students involved on campus.

“It’s unique at this University that freshmen have the opportunity to participate in Student Senate right off the bat,” McGonigle said.

Elections are Sept. 4 and 5. Freshmen will elect five peers to represent their class. McGonigle said that immediately after election results were announced, each standing Senate committee would elect one freshman who either didn’t get elected or didn’t run for representative to be an associate senator.

Associate senators have all the rights and responsibilities of other student senators, McGonigle said.

In order to run, freshmen must collect 50 signatures from freshman classmates, obtain the dean’s stamp certifying status as a freshman and turn in applications to the Senate office in the Kansas Union by 5 p.m. on Aug. 24. There is a mandatory meeting for freshman candidates at 5 p.m. on Aug. 27 in the Big 12 Room in the Kansas Union, after which campaigning will begin.

“During campaign week, successful candidates often chalk across campus, hand out fliers and network with friends from class and their residence hall or Greek house,” McGonigle said. “Visibility is key.”

Hannah Love, Dodge City senior and student body president, was elected to Senate as a freshman. She said she advised freshmen running for election to use the experience to help acquaint them with the University.

“Meet as many people as you can the first few weeks,” Love said. “It’s going to be beneficial to you throughout the university experience.”

McGonigle also said that the election process was a good way for freshmen to meet people.

“Student Senate provides an excellent opportunity to meet a diverse group of people with the common goal of improving the University,” McGonigle said.

Results for freshman elections will be announced at 6:00 p.m. on September 5 in the Centennial Room in the Kansas Union. Students interested in participating should go to the Senate offices in room 410 of the Kansas Union, or visit www.ku.edu/~senate.

— Edited by Dianne Smith

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