Now that spring break is over, and we’ve started the last leg of the academic year, it’s time to elect your student leaders! The Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA) has begun elections for President, Treasurer, and twenty senators for the 2011-2012 year. After sending in their applications, candidates have spent the past week working hard to get their faces out to the student body, and let everyone know where they stand on the issues concerning the student body today.

The USGA President serves as the primary representative of the undergraduate student body of the University of New Haven. The president presides over all USGA meetings, creates the USGA committees that all students are welcome to join, oversees the organization’s day-to-day operations, provides general direction and management to the USGA, communicates with the student body, and promotes goodwill within the university community

The USGA Treasurer is the financial manager of the USGA budget derived from the student activity fee. The treasurer keeps track of the USGA budget, as well as the budgets of all clubs and organizations, renders a statement on the condition of the USGA budget at every meeting, collects financial requests from other student treasurers, and chairs the committee in charge of approving those requests.

USGA Senators represent the student body by serving on the legislature that vote on issues and decisions of concern to the undergraduate student body, as well as serve as the chairs of the individual USGA committees.

USGA Campaign Week began with an informational session on Monday, March 21 in the Alumni Lounge. USGA Executive Assistant Colleen Kerrigan explained the events of the week as well as the rules and regulations of the elections process. Afterwards, candidates and their campaign teams had the chance to mingle with each other and even enjoy pizza!

Wednesday, March 23 was the first of two President and Treasurer Debates in Bartels’ programming space. Candidates for those positions answered questions by current USGA Treasurer Darianna Frometa, who then opened the floor for questions from students. Thursday,

March 24 was “Meet the Candidates Night” for senators in the Alumni Lounge. Each senate candidate introduced themselves to the audience and gave their campaign platform. Once every candidate had finished, everyone had the chance to go around and speak to each candidate to learn more about the issues and any plans to address these issues each candidate had. The final event of campaign week was the second President and Treasurer Debate on Monday, March 28 in the programming space.

Polls opened on Tuesday, March 29 and will remain open until Thursday, March 31. All undergraduate students received an email directing them to the voting page. The USGA will also have laptops in Bartels where students can vote, and a number of students who vote in this manner will receive gift cards. But gift cards or not, the most important reason to vote is the chance to affect who will be the leaders and representatives of the undergraduate student body next year. Each and every vote counts, so let your voice be heard!