Student Government Shake-Up
President Resigns;
other vacancies as elections near
Chase D. Anderson
Editor-in-Chief
Former Student Body Association (SBA) President Erica Wilkes announced her resignation during spring break. Wilkes cited personal reasons as cause for her
announcement, as she is visiting and caring for a sick
relative out of state.
According to Treasurer Carla Magee, Wilkes’
announcement was abrupt, and was the first she had let
on of such plans to resign.
Alex Oh, who was appointed Secretary last quarter, is
now acting President for the remainder of the quarter.
As mandated by the chain of command outlined in the
SBA Constitution, Vice President Sean Keller and
Treasurer Magee were first given opportunity to take
the position. According to Magee, both declined the
seat, and Oh, next in the chain as Secretary,
accepted.
Oh became Secretary just a few months ago, on Jan. 21,
after a lengthy hiring process. First a Senator, he
had served as Interim Secretary since the Secretary
position was vacated at the beginning of the school
year.
His acceptance of the President position left the
position of Secretary open for a second time. At its
meeting April 7, the Senate approved the Executive
Board’s recommendation that student Lida Dahnke serve
as Secretary for the remainder of the school year.
Oh’s position was not the only one vacant at the close
of Winter quarter. The position of Legislative
Director became open when former Legislative Director
Sara Lundahl was deemed academically ineligible last
quarter. Senate, in its March 31 meeting, nominated
and approved Crystal Starwich as the interim
replacement for Lundahl. Starwich had served as
Interim Legislative Director for a portion of last
school year as well.
Typically the position requires a formal interview
process to be carried out. However, due to the
proximity of campus elections, Student Government
deemed it vital that all positions immediately be
filled for the remainder of the year.
The Legislative Director is responsible for the smooth
operation of the elections, and election season
represents a particularly busy time in Student
Government.
The elections will be held May 4 and 5, where all
elected positions on the Senate and Executive Board
will be decided. Executive Board elected positions are
President, Treasurer, and Legislative Director.
The SBA President is responsible for representing the
student body at functions, presiding over meetings,
reporting to the Board of Trustees, Senate and other
campus bodies, and other duties.
The SBA Treasurer is charged with budget issues and
reports, chairing Senate meetings, and reporting to
various campus bodies.
The SBA Legislative Director is responsible for
elections and hiring tasks, including conducting
elections, chairing interview committees and working
with the college Public Information Office (PIO), as
well as maintaining contact with other college
campuses.
Senators, who are also chosen during the May 4 and 5
elections, assist in policy-making for the college,
attend to student fees and budget matters, and serve
on committees.
Those who wish to run for offices must submit
applications by this Tuesday, April 13, at 12:30 p.m.
Three Executive Board members are appointed through an
interviewing process: Vice President, Secretary, and
Student Advocate. Students who wish to apply for those
positions have until May 7 to get their applications
in. Interviews for those positions will be held May 10
and 11.
Applications, which include the SBA Constitution, job
descriptions, calendar of election events and
deadlines, and election regulations, are available in
the Student Government office (PUB, Room 950) and the
Student Programs office (Room 952).
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