It's that wonderful time of year when students can be seen panhandling for their SGA candidate of choice. Forced away from their natural habitat, these groups must form homogenous blobs of baggy, pastel-colored shirts and block off sections of the Concourse in order to survive. While in this defensive formation, flock leaders can be seen socializing, eating food and grooming one another; leaving the socially informidable fledglings on the outskirts to forage for interaction with their SGA election fliers. It's fascinating, but Animal Planet won't cover it.
Let's not take them for granted though. These SGA flocks are advocating for a privilege many citizens take for granted. The importance of the right to give out free candy is one we cannot stress enough. But despite our dependency on sweet, life-giving sugar here at The Plainsman, we are obligated to say the right to vote is a privilege many students pass up.
Jokes aside, the work of these patriots and SGA members are deserving of more than our scorn and cynicism. In advocating the right to vote, these students display a wisdom that exceeds the misguided criticisms of any jaded, post-modern nihilists.
Being elected SGA President isn't just some honorary title. Winners get more than a gold sticker on their transcript and a pat on the head. The SGA President serves on the Board of Trustees and acts as the voice of the student body.
And they get work done, but not in a timeframe you might expect. Demanding instantaneous change from a newly elected official is unrealistic. SGA presidents are only elected for a one year term, which is not enough time to see their platforms to fruition. These presidents are forced to plan out a legacy they will only see finished long after they've graduated and their memory has faded from the public eye. It's hard work.
Former 2012 SGA President Owen Parrish, for example, is responsible for many of the new food options we now see on campus. This includes Go Greek and Pinkberry in the Village Dining Hall.
Remember that shiny new building you said you'd go work out at for your New Year's resolution but just haven't found the time or energy to visit? Well, the Recreation and Wellness Center is the direct result of former 2005 SGA President Lauren Hayes' work.
The SGA is, in fact, productive. To not take advantage of the potential each candidate is offering is to deny yourself free candy.
Do not dismiss the SGA election as a popularity contest either. If it has become that at all, it is because the student body has forced it due to their unwillingness to participate.
The right to remain silent is inalienable, but don't misinterpret complacency for silence. If you are feeling underrepresented, then run for president. Anyone can do it.
We encourage all students to do research on the candidates running for SGA and to make their voice heard by voting. Each candidate's information and platform can be found on the SGA's website. There is no other excuse to not inform yourself other than willful ignorance.
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