The Student Government Association is holding its annual election for new and returning E-Board members. All students can vote on the Engage App.
The election returns at a critical time after the college announced a new president-elect, Shantay Bolton. Former President and CEO Kwang-Wu Kim stepped down last summer after serving 11 years in his role, and Interim President Jerry Tarrer took over.
On Tuesday, April 8, the first round of the election process began with speeches from all the candidates. The speeches took place at The Hive in 618 S. Michigan, or students were able to join SGA’s livestream to watch via Instagram. Students will be able to vote between Tuesday, April 8 and Tuesday, April 15.
SGA advocates for student interests and has a representative from its leadership on the Board of Trustees. This position is currently held by senior marketing major I’Ja Wright, and the new representative will be announced shortly before commencement weekend.
Elections are being held for four positions. The president, vice-president and vice-president of communication roles are uncontested.
Current President Jenna Davis, a junior fine arts major, and current Vice-President Amelia Lutz, a sophomore film and television major, are candidates for their positions.
Davis told the Chronicle she is running to retain her position as president because she “loves” her current role and wants to give more to the student body before she is expected to graduate next school year.
“In my second term as president, I hope to help the student body transition into the new College President,” Davis said. “I want the student body to feel confident and comfortable with them.”
Davis also hopes to stress the importance of DEI at the college after the Trump Administration threatened to cut funding to schools that continued race-conscious student programming.
“I want to emphasize the importance of the topic of DEI within our campus community,” Davis said. “I understand that statement is very important right now, but I also want to acknowledge, although I cannot fix everything in the world or in the school, I can say I will do everything in my power to elevate voices of all communities in areas that are needed.”
Lutz, serving her second year in SGA, said she decided to re-run for vice-president because she has “fallen in love” with the ways she is able to serve the college community. She served as the LGBTQIA+ senator her first year at the college.
“Being VP has allowed me to see and understand things happening at the college that I want to share with other students, something I plan to continue doing,” Lutz said. “I also love how it’s allowed me to develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of the CCC culture.”
First-year musical theatre major Danielle Lang will be running for vice-president of communications after currently holding the first-year senator position. Lang did not respond in time for publication for a comment.
Sophomore fine arts major Michael Kowalkowski and sophomore film and television major Ryan Sanhamel are running for vice-president of finance.
Kowalkowski has served in SGA for nearly two years. He said he wants to find ways for providing skill-building activities and more for the other senators to grow their skills as a leader.
After being inspired by current Vice-President of Finances Dave Palazzolo’s leadership skills during a few Internal Committee meetings, Kowalkowski said he would like to grow off of those skills if elected for the new position.
“There are already a lot of soft skills that members gain from being in SGA, and I would like to look into ways to enhance that so they can take things beyond their work in SGA.”
After taking on SGA for three semesters and currently serving as the on-campus senator, Sanhamel said that previously working with budgeting, fundraising and supporting creative ideas in the past would allow him to carry his current skills into helping senators next year.
Amidst the college’s financial crisis due to the $17 million deficit, Senior Vice President and Provost Marcella David told the Faculty Senate on Feb. 7 that additional faculty layoffs could be possible. Sanhamel said he wants to be a support system to students and organizations who may be affected.
“This year, we did a lot of collaborations with other departments and organizations. I would possibly like to see more fundraising collaborations done with SGA and be able to not only support our fellow communities, but also financially support them.”
The newly elected E-Board will be announced Tuesday, April 15.
Copy edited by Patience Hurston
Resumen en Español:
Las elecciones de la Asociación de Gobierno Estudiantil (SGA) de Columbia están abiertas del 8 al 15 de abril a través de la aplicación Engage. La actual presidenta de SGA Jenna Davis y la vicepresidenta Amelia Lutz se postulan sin oposición para la reelección, junto con la estudiante de primer año Danielle Lang para el cargo de vicepresidenta de comunicaciones. Todos los candidatos dieron sus discursos en The Hive o a través de una transmisión en vivo por Instagram.
La única competencia disputada es por el cargo de vicepresidente de finanzas entre los estudiantes de segundo año Michael Kowalkowski y Ryan Sanhamel. Ambos destacaron su experiencia en liderazgo y su deseo de apoyar a los estudiantes ante el déficit financiero de $17 millones que enfrenta la universidad. La nueva junta directiva será anunciada el 15 de abril.
Resumen en Español por Manuel Nocera
Resumen editado por Doreen Abril Albuerne Rodriguez
