Since 1922, Auburn University SGA has had more than 90 presidents who have been able to improve the University in a multitude of ways. But in the history of SGA, there have been a total of two female presidents.
“When I was elected, I knew it had been a long time,” said former SGA president Lauren Hayes. “Not since women had run, but since one had been elected.”
Brad Smith, SGA adviser and friend of Hayes, said he believes her positive attitude, strong will and networking abilities are some of the reasons she was able to accomplish so much.
“She was competent, bold and well respected by administrators,” Smith said. “She fought for things she believed were best for the student body, and even the people underneath her loved looking up to someone who engaged and inspired them to do better work. She ended up being one of the best presidents we’ve ever had.”
Hayes was elected president in 2009 and originally intended to run for vice president until she read the job descriptions.
During Hayes’ presidency, she and the other officers brought in a new provost, a new vice president of Student Affairs and provided funds and a layout for a new health and recreation center, which is now the Recreation and Wellness Center.
“We did a huge campaign on what the new rec would look like, hired an architect, got the Auburn Board of Trustees’ stamp of approval and got 74 percent of the student body’s approval,” Hayes said. “I specifically remember the presentation I gave to the board because it was on my 21st birthday.”
Bailey Greer, Hayes’ friend since their freshman year of college, said she had no doubt in her mind Hayes would win the presidency and accomplish anything she set her mind to.
“I think there’s that connotation in college that if you run for any SGA office, you are saying ‘peace out’ to your college life,” Greer said. “But Lauren still came on trips with us, she still did everything she wanted to do and was able to accomplish so much.”
Smith said there seems to be a decline in both genders running for SGA positions.
“(The 2015 SGA elections) were the first time in a while where we had three uncontested races,” Smith said. “But this year, we were also 50/50 on Greek versus independent voters when usually we are about 51/49.”
Going through college as an Alpha Gamma Delta sorority member, Hayes reflected upon the competitive environments of Miss Auburn and sororities and the impact they may have on elections.
“With any of these Auburn elections, people can become too focused on supporting someone within their own network, and I think it’s really unfortunate when those policies prevent people from getting into positions that could be beneficial,” Hayes said.
Greer said she believes the old-set ways of Southern culture may be one of the reasons for the lack of female SGA presidents, but said she hopes it won’t be long before women presidents become the norm.
Now the chief of staff and external affairs at Valor Collegiate Schools, Hayes said she feels so much can be taught to children on acceptance and leadership skills.
“My hope for (Auburn University) is that we can become a more diverse university, that we can learn to put petty politics aside and keep that big picture perspective,” Hayes said.
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