Student Government Association President Julianne Cantu was re-elected Nov. 16 to serve until January 2011.
Unopposed, the political science sophomore received 120 of 132 votes cast from a student body of about 24,000 potential student voters.
Cantu ran again because she said she still had a lot to give, and most of the officers are new representatives.
“I didn’t want an inexperienced person with not a lot of leadership guidance disrupt the flow of things,” she said.
Cantu plans to train the new vice president, psychology sophomore Tammy Kothe-Ramsey, in building a strong administration. Kothe-Ramsey previously served as SGA secretary.
For vice president, Kothe-Ramsey won with 68 votes and beat political science freshman Andrew Floyd, who received 62 votes. For commissioner-at-large, nursing sophomore JoAnna Hernandez received 93 votes and beat psychology sophomore Jena Olvera, who received 90 votes. Olvera was appointed secretary.
Other officers who were unopposed included criminal justice sophomore Allison Newcomb for treasurer, 124 of 132 votes. Appointed commissioners-at-large were Floyd, history sophomore Sam Huckleberry and political science sophomore John Ford.
The association accomplished a lot in the past year, she said. SGA became respected among the Alamo Colleges because of its persistence, Cantu said. She and association members were successful in getting a student representative from each college in the district on the Accreditation Review Committee.
The association made handbooks for students with tips about the campus. The book also has facts for international students to inform them about important issues on campus. Handbooks will be distributed during the spring semester orientation or registration, Cantu said.
The association also sponsors Pizza with the President, a chance for students to eat free pizza with President Robert Zeigler and the administration.
“It’s hard to find many people who care greatly for the students,” Cantu said.
Besides caring, SGA leaders also must be able to attend meetings, she said.
“These people here are ready to commit to all the responsibilities SGA entails,” she said.
Huckleberry said he religiously followed the dispute over the faculty’s vote of no confidence in Chancellor Bruce Leslie and paid attention to how involved SGA continued to be at meetings.
“This year, they’ve been extremely strong,” Huckleberry said. “They keep pushing and continue to represent the college better.”
Both Huckleberry and Cantu said they thought it would be better to have more students participate in elections. Huckleberry said the more involved students are with SGA, the better the campus will become.
“We need to bind together and became a family away from family. Then we can produce great things,” he said.
Huckleberry said he joined SGA because any opportunity to exercise his democratic right brings him more growth and knowledge. He also plans to take nine to 15 hours next semester, instead of 19 hours like he did before, so he can focus on his duties for SGA and always represent the students.
“If any student has any gripes, I’m here,” he said.
Cantu said she believed electronic voting on PALS went well, even if there were a few setbacks with the system. Next year, she hopes to get the word out for voting, and hopes students take time to vote.
SGA members will meet after final exams to plan the upcoming year. Cantu said Pizza with the President will continue, and more events for next year will be planned.
The last two SGA events this semester include an open forum with the chancellor. Leslie is scheduled to meet with students from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 1 in Room 101 of Longwith Radio, Television and Film Building.
Students may write down questions or concerns they have, and the chancellor is expected to answer them at the forum, Cantu said.
“Chili With the Chairs” is planned for 12:15 p.m. Dec. 3 in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center. Department chairs will be available to meet informally with students.
Cantu said the new SGA officers are determined, reliable and genuinely concerned about issues, the kind of people the student body wants to represent their concerns.
“SGA has humbled me. I can’t accomplish anything without them,” she said. “If you surround yourself with amazing people, things will get done.”
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