Classes are beginning to get serious. Early semester flirting has blossomed into mid-semester romance, and now there’s one more thing to get excited about: Students’ Union by-elections.
From Oct. 17-19, the University of Calgary SU will hold a by-election to fill five vacant spots that remain from the last general election in March.
During last year’s by-election only eight per cent of the student body voted, and SU chief returning officer Mike Brown hopes this year more students will get involved and make their voices heard.
“Many students don’t understand what the SU does,” said Brown. “Many students feel that the SU just takes its yearly fee and does nothing. That isn’t true. The SU runs Mac Hall, meets with government officials and administration.”
The vacant positions include four faculty representatives, one each from the faculties of communications and culture, social work, education and nursing. Faculty representatives act as a liaison between the faculty and the SU, sit on the Students’ Academic Assembly and report to the vice-president academic.
Along with the faculty representatives, one student-at-large position is vacant in the U of C senate after elected senate representative and 2005/06 VP external Jen Smith stepped down earlier this year.
Students can vote online by logging onto the infonet or at one of the polling stations located around campus.