On University lawns and on bulletin boards in buildings across campus students will see fliers and boards advertising students running for positions in the Student Government Association. Chase Brasher, senior from Paducah, Ky., said he made a Facebook event to inform students he was running for SGA president and he announced it via Twitter.
“I plan on having a board in front of Regents College and Elizabeth College to let students know I am running,” Brasher said.
He said everyone on campus needs to be informed of who is taking over the leadership of their student government.
“Whether I win or lose, if we have more involvement with the students in the elections then I’ll be happy,” Brasher said. “Prior to my involvement with SGA, I did not know what they did for the students of Murray State.”
Jeremiah Johnson, senior from Hopkinsville, Ky., and incumbent SGA president running for a second term, said he has placed signs around campus to let students know he is running for re-election.
He said some of his fraternity brothers have also window chalked their cars with “Johnson for SGA Prez.”
“I plan on hanging fliers on the SGA bulletin boards around campus,” Johnson said. “And going to different groups on campus to let them know I am running again and what changes I plan to make if elected for next year.”
He said in the past year, the student government has mended bridges and become more involved with Black Student Council, International Student Organization and the Residential College Association.
“I want to expand and make sure more students are involved,” Johnson said. “I am hoping I can tie all of the organizations together on campus and create more of a campus community.”
Dylan Gerlach, junior from Louisville, Ky., said he is using several methods to reach his potential voters.
“I have a Twitter page, @Gerlach4SGAPres, which I am using to communicate with the student body,” Gerlach said. “This allows me to hear the opinions of all students as well as voice my own innovative ideas.”
Gerlach will also be meeting with various student organizations, including athletic teams, over the next week to communicate his ideas and show why he thinks he is the best candidate for the job.
“I think one-on-one personal encounters are what can really set me apart from the other candidates,” Gerlach said. “I just want to see what students really want changed and how we can start making big differences in a short amount of time.”
Don Robertson, vice president of Student Affairs, said he has not seen much activity between the candidates with their campaigning.
“I’m sure all three are active, but I have not seen the campus littered with campaign stuff,” Robertson said. “I hope they are working on a strategy.”
There are several rules each candidate must follow while campaigning. Each candidate must not change the office for which they applied, is responsible for the removal of their campaign materials within 48 hours of polls closing and must abide by University compliance rules.
Students can vote via myGate beginning at 9 a.m. Monday through 9 a.m. Wednesday.
INSIDE THE STORY
Potential student government officers are utilizing social media to inform students of their candidacy for SGA positions.
Michael Penner, freshman from Evansville, Ind., said with only 10 percent voting he thinks there could be a number of reasons why a lot of students don’t vote.
“Some students may just not have time others may just not care,” Penner said. “I can say I honestly don’t know a lot about the SGA elections.”
Chelcie Alexander, sophomore from Hardin, Ky., said she has seen a few campaign signs across campus but mainly saw Facebook posts about who is running for president.
“I haven’t seen any campaign materials for students who are trying to for any position other than president,” Alexander said.