The Grand Valley State University Student Senate held the first “Meet the Candidates” event on Monday, March 16 at the Mary Idema Pew Library.

With voting for Student Senate beginning on Sunday, March 22, the event was meant to raise awareness of the upcoming elections, as well as provide students an opportunity to meet candidates in person.

Madelaine Cleghorn, vice president of external affairs, said it is important to spread the word about elections. A small number of the student population participates in the voting, which may not accurately reflect the student body. Cleghorn said the senate is supposed to represent 25,000 students, so more students need to get involved in voting.

Communicating with students who may not know much about senate is important for Ella Fritzemeier, a member of the public relations committee. She said meeting students in person is key – social media can be useful, but the real way you get information to students is through face to face interactions.

Candidates needed 75 student signatures in order to run for election. Shirlene Armstrong, a member of the external relations committee, said most candidates ask their friends or look for signatures in their classes. Armstrong wanted to try something different.

She reached out to members of the community and spoke to them about what Student Senate is and what it means to her. It wasn’t just important to get the 75 signatures she needed to run; she saw it as a way to get the message of Student Senate out to the community.

“Because that’s what those signatures mean – spreading the word about senate, and spreading that we are the student voice and that we care,” Armstrong said.

When it comes to spreading awareness, Armstrong believes in the power of social media. She said we are in an age of social media, so one cannot ignore it completely. However, she agreed with Fritzemeier in that social media is helpful, but personal interactions are much more powerful.

“That’s what student senators do; they’re supposed to represent the student voice and really be involved in the community,” Armstrong said.

“Meet the Candidates” did not just provide an opportunity for students to meet fellow students who are running for senate, however. The event also allowed candidates to mingle with other senators.

Andy McDonough, who is running for Student Senate for the first time, said it was great to have an opportunity to talk with other candidates and senators. Those conversations helped him solidify his thoughts about GVSU, and it gave him a clearer picture of what he wants to accomplish

“(GVSU) is a big school with a small town campus feel,” McDonough said. “If there’s any way I can kind of help further that, through helping these clubs get the funding they want or polling and finding out what people are actually doing, that’s what I want to do.”

McDonough said he wants to help Student Senate stay focused. It’s important to remember the small campus feel and experience and keep that in mind as the university grows.

Student Senate ballots will be available on Sunday, March 22 at
www.gvsu.edu/studentsenate/.

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