ASUW elections are next month and students wanting to run for senate, president or vice president have until Friday at 4:30 p.m. to turn in an application.
The process of getting on the ballot is simple, Jordan Blazovich, ASUW senator from the College of Arts and Sciences, said.
“The process to run for ASUW mirrors that of any political campaign,” Blazovich said.
Chris Ryan, head of governmental affairs for ASUW, said all applications must be cleared with the Dean of Students Office, and applicants must have at least a 2.0 GPA.
“There are requirements for student senators and the Dean of Students Office checks grades and also checks that they are in good standing with the university,” Ryan said. “The application also asks for contact info, a blurb about what a perspective senator would like to do if elected and some other general information.”
After accessing and submitting an application on ASUW’s website, and attending a mandatory pre-campaign meeting, the candidate’s campaign can officially begin.
Sarah Maze, ASUW senator from the College of Arts and Sciences, said depending on the number of candidates in each college, candidates may participate in both primary and general elections to earn their seat.
Ryan said there is no minimum amount of campaigning required, but that some campaigning is a good idea.
“Campaigning is entirely up to the individual. There is certainly no requirement, but it is an election so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get one’s face out there,” Ryan said.
All 30 seats in the ASUW Senate are up for grabs in the election, as well as the Presidency and Vice Presidency.
Eilish Hanson, chair of the ASUW Elections Committee, said the amount of seats given to each college on campus is based on the number of students in a given college, to give ASUW a proportional representation. For example, the College of Arts and Sciences has 11 seats, while the College of Law only has one.
Ryan and Blazovich said it is important for students to know they are a part of ASUW even if they do not hold a representative position; any fee-paying student is already a part of ASUW.
“ASUW is open to anybody who wants to be a part of it,” Blazovich said. “There are a multitude of different beliefs that are represented, and it’s really fascinating to see all these beliefs come to the table. It’s a voice for the students.”
Maze said potential representatives should want to make a difference at UW.
“Ideal senators are just students who want to be involved and make a difference on our campus. No experience is necessary,” Maze said.
Ryan said elected senators do need to be prepared for quite a bit of extra work as well.
“Potential candidates should have Tuesday nights from 7-10 blocked off on their schedules, and should be prepared to serve on at least two committees and handle the work-load associated,” Ryan said.
Blazovich also encouraged those who do not wish to run for office, but want their voices heard, to become students-at-large and attend meetings and provide input.
“It allows us to better gauge what students are thinking,” Blazovich said.
