SGA Elections are right around the corner on this Tuesday, March 7th! Her Campus Alabama had the opportunity to hear from some of candidates running for President and Senate for the 2017-2018 school year. Please note that this article is not an endorsement and we hope to only inform you about some of this year’s candidates. Voting will be held online on myBama starting at 7 AM and ending at 7 PM. Please visit sga.ua.edu for a complete list of candidates and for more election information.
Her Campus Alabama does not endorse any candidates for this election cycle. Our members’ votes are their own and they have the right to choose whether to vote and whom to vote for. We encourage all voters to research any and all candidates and to decide for themselves.
SGA President
Gene Fulmer, Junior
“This is our campus, made up of students serving all students. My name is Gene Fulmer, I am a junior from Fayette, Alabama. I’m running because there are students here who feel forgotten and students whose voices cannot be heard. The experience I’ve had at the university has been a dream come true for me, and I would like to foster an environment where students from all walks of life have the same opportunity to succeed—in their own definitions of the word.
As students and as a student government, we have extremely important issues that we are responsible for addressing. Regarding mental illness, the time has come to push a new campaign: “Know the Five.” One in four students struggles with mental illness, and several more are affected in countless other ways. We have worked to end the stigma, but in order to see an improvement in the quality of life of these individuals, we need to hold ourselves accountable to know what signs to look out for. We will be working very closely with the counseling center to help them optimally utilize their resources. Regarding sexual assault, there are valuable assets on campus. Yes, programs like Haven and the Guardian App are great places to start, but we need to stress this importance to all students, starting with incoming freshmen. We will like to invite a knowledgeable expert from the Women and Gender Resources Center to speak at Bama Bound each year, so that we can help to make all students aware of the realities of campus, in an effort to deter this from happening in the long run. Among these are several more ideas, but in order to diversify, include, and succeed, we must listen. That is who I am as a candidate: a sum of the people I’m lucky enough to have around me. A quick fun fact: what few people may know about me, is that I am most certainly (probably) the best juggler from my hometown. Thanks, everybody and #GoWithGene!”
College of Engineering Senate
Robin Blocksom, Sophomore
“I am in my second year here at the Capstone as a Chemical Engineering major with a minor in Political Science. Throughout these two years, I have showed leadership and involvement on campus through various clubs and organizations. These positions that I have held, such as Treasurer of Turning Point USA, Assistant Academic Chairman in my sorority, Assistant Team Leader for the Center for Service and Leadership, Future of the Tide mentor, and a volunteer at the West Alabama Food Bank, have prepared me to hold a position on the College of Engineering Senate. My involvement in the Society of Women Engineers and the American Institute for Chemical Engineers has also allowed me to become more involved in the College of Engineering and form relationships with my peers. If elected, I would like to expand resources to allow students to receive certifications in engineering-related computer software. I also have intentions of creating a website for students to find study groups based off of their course schedule. Finally, I would like to create a safer campus by adding more emergency call boxes around the strip to help prevent against sexual assault. I think it is important that we emphasize communication between students and the Student Government Association.”
Fun Fact: “I’m lactose intolerant, but my favorite food is macaroni and cheese.”
College of Nursing Senate
Sarah Michel
“My entire campaign is centered around the idea that we can do more to make the University of Alabama a happier and healthier place. One way I want to accomplish this is to to create better access to university resources that already exist, like the Counseling Center or the Women and Gender Resource Center, that students may not know about. Second, I want to work with administration and BamaDining to increase options for healthy meals and snacks across campus and work in accommodations for students with dietary restrictions, whatever they may be. Finally, my third main goal is to alleviate student stress on campus. A few ideas I have for this include puppy playdates on the quad during midterms and more free coffee in libraries during finals. I want to be a voice for all students and advocate for every one of peers. Nursing majors: vote Sarah Michel on March 7th, and together, I know we can create positive change on our campus.”
Fun fact:” I HATE bananas and I have no idea why.”