Matt Vekakis, one of the two presidential candidates for the Student Government Association sat down and discussed his goals and plans for the SGA and with the elections just a week away, he is both excited and nervous about making the vote.
Why are you running?
I have a few reasons. I’ve always felt the SGA should broadcast every student voice and concern even if they’re not popular with the upper administration. I absolutely love CCSU. I applied to eight schools before Central but I felt that none of them really wanted me, you know what I mean? I love this campus. I love the opportunities it gave me. I want to give back to the CCSU community.
What are your platforms?
To speak up for student rights, issues and concerns. There are so many organizations. [I want to] give students the opportunities to join these committees. Also, supporting and funding clubs.
What are your major goals and gripes for the SGA?
The SGA is so focused on pleasing the upper administration. Student’s concerns come first and foremost. That’s my only gripe. I want to make the senate aware that they’re not voting for the individual, but for their constituency. The senate can be very “tunnel vision” within. I also want to make senate legislation effective and purposeful.
What are your immediate plans for if you win?
To make connections with newly elected members of other boards. All these groups can be on the same page. [We can] pool resources from all organizations. Also, planning, planning planning!
He plans to try to increase the number of scholarships and making better avenues for students.
Vekakis, who is a Junior English major here at Central and the current Vice President of the SGA, has quite the extensive list of past accomplishments; including: Vice President of IRC (Inter Residence Council), Student Director of CCSU Foundation, Inc, Board member of the Student Union Board of Governors, and being the Co-founder of CCSU’s Outer Club.
SGA elections are being held April 26 and 27 in the student center lobby from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
