During the week of Sept. 29 to Oct. 3, Central Connecticut State University’s Student Government Association (SGA) held its first of two annual elections for positions, including At-Large Senator, Commuter Senators, First-Year Senators, and Resident Senators.
However, many Central students had no idea that the elections were happening. Those who did were unimpressed by the candidates on the ballot.
Despite a total student population of over 11,200, at-large senator winner Nana-Princesse Jackson received just 70 votes over the week-long voting period, with the numbers for other positions being similarly low. The Commuter Senator, Barbara Flores, received 35 votes; top First-Year Senator Anthony Esquilin Ortiz had 22, and Resident Senator Ash Devito led the way with 24.
Resident Senator Logan Taylor mentioned that he has experienced the decline of student involvement firsthand.
“I do think this isn’t a problem with SGA, I think it’s a campus-wide problem where we send out forms and not a ton of people participate. […] Yeah, it’s a great idea, but what’s gonna happen if no one does it?” Taylor said.
“I’m not sure exactly how to solve it, but I have noticed a pattern or trend,” he said.
Taylor has served as Resident Senator for three semesters and is the current secretary of the Beecher Residence Hall’s Hall Council. Taylor explained there was an overlap between a lack of SGA involvement and a lack of Hall Council involvement.
SGA Vice President Malachi Collins echoed concerns on this dilemma.
“I think it comes down to an awareness level,” Malachi said. “I think on an awareness level, maybe Central isn’t known for SGA, or SGA isn’t as promoted.”
Although he admitted that the SGA may not have the pull that they want, Collins said the organization has plans to improve.
“We’re on an upward climb since last year. We had a lot of participation, more than we had last year,” he said. “So, focusing on the internal side, we did really good. As we build with more people inside, we’re able to do more, therefore more visibility. With that, we’re able to garner more attention.”
Collins made it clear that the SGA is meant to invoke policy changes and improve campus life beyond being an organization students participate in.
“The main primary objective is that it’s important to vote because you’re putting people in a position to advocate for things you want,” he said.
Collins said there are constant complaints and requests from Central students on the Fizz app and relates it to how students can make a difference. He added, having a clear focus if you’re an SGA candidate is essential; connecting with students is an important aspect of not only being a successful student politician, but also growing SGA as a whole.
“I would say college is just a small scale of the bigger world,” Collins concluded.
The next round of SGA elections will take place in the spring semester.
