Student government election campaigns begin

By Bryce Johnson •

Voting for the Undergraduate Student Government Association president, executive vice president and senators begins on March 18 and closes on March 29 at noon. The candidates come from two parties: Shark Surge and DRIVE (Diversity, Resilience, Innovation, Vision, Excellence).

PHOTO BY ALEXANDRA ACEVEDO Arun Jagarlamudi, junior public health major and executive vice presidential candidate, answers a question at the presidential debate.

Shark Surge wants to amplify and reflect the voice of the student body. DRIVE is promoting unity within the NSU community, making all students feel integrated and connected with each other.

“You can run as an individual or you can run as a party. In the past, you had to run as a party and they stopped doing that,” Gerard Wheeler, assistant dean of Student Engagement, said.

Shawnie Allen, senior exercise and sport science major, and external affairs director of USGA, urged students to research both parties.

“I feel like you should care. You want to see who is going to be able to advocate for you and for your student needs, and be able to stand up to those higher ups that they want to make change,” Allen said.

On the executive board, the president and executive vice president are the only members voted on this year. This year, there are no chief financial officer candidates. Other members on the e-board, like internal affairs director and chief financial officer, are appointed by the president. Outside of e-board, Allen said the senators are voted on, too.

Manas Peddiboyina, senior public health major and current USGA president, finds it bittersweet to step down from his position.

“It’s exciting because I know the future is bright. I know there’s some great candidates who are running for our next election, but I also am reflecting on my year,” Peddiboyina said. “I’ve always been involved in student council, student government, literally from middle school, and it just means a lot to me in the sense that I’m so passionate about it.”

PHOTO BY ALEXANDRA ACEVEDO Gerard Wheeler, assistant dean for Student Engagement, discusses the importance of voting and choosing the right candidate.

In Shark Surge, Daniyal Baig, junior business major and upperclassman senator, is running for president. If elected, Baig hopes to improve campus life by implementing a recycling program, comedian shows, more on-campus housing and other resources.

“We want to make the campus more fun because at the end of the day, we want you guys to make your voice heard,” Baig said.

Alongside Baig, Arun Jagarlamudi, junior public health major and chief court justice officer, is running for executive vice president.

“Being in USGA for two years, I’ve learned about how hard it is, but yet how gratifying it is, to work on a bill, get that implemented, followed through and then seeing those results,” Jagarlamudi said.

In DRIVE, Anne Sylvie Jean Louis, junior psychology major and diversity senator, is running for president. Jean Louis hopes to bring halal and kosher food options to campus, implement a LGBTQIA+ course elective on history and culture, and further DRIVE’s goal to promote unity.

“Our goal is to bring the NSU community together to uplift the student voices,” Jean Louis said. “I think one of the biggest things about student government is making sure that those different populations of different groups are really having their voice heard.”

Peddiboyina encourages the next USGA president to stay grounded.

“It’s so, so important to remember who you are, why you’re doing this, what your passion is. Also during the year, don’t lose yourself. Follow what you think is right, keep an open mind, but at the end of the day, trust what you believe and trust what you have to say,” Peddiboyina said.

Once voting opens, students can use their NSU credentials to log into SharkHub. The election results will be announced on March 29 at noon in the Flight Deck. The new elected officials will be sworn in on April 17 at 3 p.m. in the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation.

During his time at NSU, Wheeler saw the most students vote in the previous USGA election.

“Last year was the biggest voting that we’ve ever had since I’ve been here and that was only 1,200 people. So 1,200 people only voted out of 6,000 students,” Wheeler said.

Peddiboyina also encourages students to vote in the election and learn as much as they can about each candidate.

“At the end of the day, this is your school as a student. It’s so, so crucial to make your voice heard,” Peddiboyina said.