The nomination convention for the yearly campus elections were held on March 25, but a number of positions were left unfilled, including positions in the court of Miss GSU. Because there is no set protocol for appointing court members, university officials decided to reopen the unfilled positions for nominations. The move hasn’t come without a degree of controversy.
The elections are scheduled to take place the week of April 14, but the controversy surrounding the open positions has caused the administration to step in to correct the matter.
Dr. Karen Martin, vice president of Student Affairs, along with other officials within the university have decided to intervene in an effort to restore order to the process. According to Audrey Warren, SGA adviser, “After nominations were originally closed, 13 positions were vacant. After meeting with Dr. Martin, it was decided that the nominations should be reopened for the vacant positions.”
Despite the setbacks caused by complications in the nomination process, Warren is convinced that the events of election week will be quite successful. “We’re looking forward to a successful election. For the first time, we will go online for the election process.
Using student e-mail accounts, students will be able to access the ballots. The elections will also be held the entire week, instead of one or two days.”
SGA President Whitney Moore-White stated, “The decision was made in part because there were a number of positions open. “
While SGA officials can be appointed in the event of a vacant seat, there is no set protocol in place for dealing with vacant court positions.”
While this situation unfolds, many students were unaware that the situation involving the nomination process was even taking place. None of the students approached by The Gramblinite for comment were even aware that the election season here at GSU had begun. Therefore, none would agree to comment on the situation.
Dr. Cassandra Shelling, director of the Favrot Student Union, assures those who are concerned that the process will continue without a hitch, especially in regards to the court. “The election committee looked at the handbook and decided to make the proper revisions.”
While previous elections have brought to light the flaws in Grambling State University’s campus election process, officials insist on not having the same mistakes persist. With an emphasis on online voting, the use of an outside firm to count those votes, and stricter guidelines levied upon prospective candidates, GSU officials feel that this election will go on without a hitch despite its rocky beginning.