Alexandria Galtney
Managing Editor
Having student elected officials on a college campus allows the student body to be represented by a set of individuals that hopefully spread our ideas and concerns to those in authority.
Every year, Jackson State students have the privilege of voting for a particular candidate from a pool of others who believe that they are qualified applicants, vying for that Student Government Association position.
Their selection process is critical, students must have a required GPA and have a certain number of community service hours.
A concerned student, such as myself, looks at your knowledge of the position you are trying to obtain, the amount of time in service you put into this school and the leadership and authority I believe you possess in order take my dear ole college home into a brighter future.
In every election process, to get your ideas across as a candidate, you have to attract the eye, and I have literally had candidates slide into my Instagram DM’s, forcibly add me to an unauthorized group message and constantly promote their platforms via Instagram, Twitter or Snapchat every five minutes throughout an entire day.
If that doesn’t get your attention, the many programs that are promoted throughout the week for a particular campaign team will surely get your attention as people forcibly hand you a flyer or tell you to take a picture with them and get some candy.
I honestly don’t want your chewy candy, your promotional flyer or selfies with your campaign board. What I want from you is outstanding leadership and commitment.
We need someone who doesn’t care about getting special seating at Homecoming games, presidential banquets or having a close relationship with university officials. This should not be a popularity contest.
With each SGA President, there is an evolution in leadership that students visibly see.
During my two year period at ‘thee’ Jackson State University, both Presidents have always excelled in handling student affairs and most importantly, communicated with the student body.
Communication means holding student body meetings to keep each individual updated on important information, being honest with students when there is a problem with our university’s government and even expressing open letters addressing the lack of communication we have with university officials.
Leadership is not based off of one individuals ideas, it comes from the many ideas and concerns that those following under his leadership voice.
My message to the 72nd SGA President, continue to be the voice for the students and remain humble during your time of leadership.
I congratulate you on this amazing achievement and being that you are a woman, and the university hasn’t had a woman lead the student body in over 30 years, you are already shedding stereotypes and breaking barriers.
A great philosopher once said, “To lead people, walk beside them. As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence … When the best leader’s work is done, the people say, ‘We did it ourselves!” With that being said, you know the job that you must do.
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