The presidential elections may be over, but Bakersfield College is just getting started. The Student Government Association is holding elections for next semester a little bit early.
Elections are being held after spring break on April 1-4. Students can vote by going onto BC’s main page and following the link.
SGA general counsel Nick Acosta explained reasons behind the change in election dates and why it is taking place so soon in the semester.
“I’ve noticed that the further in the semester it gets, the less students we have,” he said. “Drop dates and Withdrawal dates really contributes to it. Then students stop showing interest in other activities because of midterms and finals. Their main focus is on going to classes then studying. With all that in mind, we still can’t hold it to soon.”
To run for any of the positions, all of which are open, students need to get an application packet form from Campus Center 4. Those packets must be turned in by 5:30 p.m. March 18. Originally, the packets had to be turned in a week earlier, but now there’s still time to apply.
“I changed the dates because we weren’t really getting a lot of packets turned in or people showing interest in running,” Acosta said. “Every year the only people running are the senators. We are trying to advertise to get more people beside the ones who have already been in it, because it almost seems clique-ish.”
Acosta mentioned a few qualifications for running. Students must have a 2.O GPA and be enrolled in six units, which is considered being part time, as well as attending the mandatory candidates meeting. The meeting date is on the packet, which is located in CC-4.
“We have the election debate forum on March 20 at noon,” Acosta said. “This isn’t going to be a debate but a time where students running can say this is why I’m qualified for this position. It’s going to show if they’re really here to help and not just here to get their name on a business card. Students can ask questions about what they want to do or how they’re going to help. It’s so this doesn’t turn into a popularity contest.”