Elliot Steeves-
The Gustavus Student Senate will run an election for their new co-presidents next year on Feb. 26th. The election will run all day from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
This year’s election will only consist of one ticket for co-president, consisting of sitting senators Robby Swenson and Chance Korpela, per Associate Dean of Students Megan Ruble. However, the ballot will also feature key amendments to the Student Senate constitution, with the option of a vote of approval from students at Gustavus.
Sitting co-president Gabe Maurer went into detail about the amendments: “First, we are asking students about the International Center Representative seat,” Maurer said. “If nobody is there after two different elections, the question is whether the Senate should be allowed to fill that seat, or should instead run elections in perpetuity until that seat is filled.”
The other provision is much simpler. An amendment is on the ballot that would give the Senate the ability to vote for a committee chair, instead of having the given committee select the chair themselves.
Students will vote through a link sent to their student email by the Senate themselves. The link will head toward the ballot. Initially, Chrome may block the website on laptops. If this is the case, students are advised to access the link via their phones.
The Student Senate has been an important vessel for student voices to be relayed toward many different administrative functions at Gustavus, such as the Faculty and Staff.
“It is important that your voice be heard,” Maurer said regarding the students at Gustavus. “The Student Senate has a lot of power and commands a quarter-million dollar budget. If they don’t perceive an issue, it might not get brought up at all.”
Each residence hall has a representative, along with each class. One of the amendments up for approval by the Gustavus student body is whether the Senate should fill the seat allocated to the IC.
“The IC does not have a voice right now, and that isn’t right, which is why we wanted this amendment,” Maurer said.
The Senate has many different responsibilities as a vehicle for the input of Gustavus students.
“We were consulted about the curriculum changes,” Maurer said. “We sponsored the prairie resolution on 7th street. We oversee all of the water bottle fillers on campus, the Gus Bus, and the compost program. We also made a major parking change in the north lot this year.”
“Issues that bubble up are ones that the Senate can work on,” Ruble said. “There is health, housing, student and academic affairs, and inclusive excellence, to name a few examples.”
Ruble also talked about the general format for how the Senate implements these ideas. “A constituent goes to their representative, and talks about an issue they need to work on,” Ruble said. “The senator goes in and discusses the issue. They chart it to a committee, which does the legwork to explore it further.”
All interviewed emphasized the importance of not only knowing that the Senate exists but of retaining knowledge of their practices and participating in the upcoming election.
“This is an opportunity to have more insight into the Senate,” Co-President Alli Joeger said. “The purpose is to represent student voices for the administration. We want the Student Body to improve the amendments that we have put forth.”
“Make sure to reach out to your student senators,” Maurer said. “If we don’t hear your voice, we won’t be able to act in your interests. We send out an email update once a month for this reason. Say what you want the Senate to hear!”
“You should figure out who your representatives are,” Ruble said. “Student senate is a place where you can go if something isn’t working. For example, why is a fee attached to something? Student senate loves talking about those issues.”
Students are heavily encouraged not only to vote in the forthcoming election but to also keep updated with the ongoings of the Student Senate. They are free to reach out on their email alias if students have questions about any concerns on campus.