Opinion

Student voice heard through voting in SGA election

With a record turnout in November’s election, students turned to the polls as a method to make their voices heard.’

Today, starting at 8 a.m. students need to cast their ballots once again – this time for the Student Government Association.

Representative of all students, SGA acts as an effective liaison in dealing with the administration on behalf of the student body.

Over the course of the past year, SGA has succeeded in making UH student voices heard, at both the local and state levels. SGA revived the Texas Student Association charter, an organization established to represent Texas university students at the state capitol, and traveled to Austin to lobby on behalf of UH students. SGA also approved the renovation of the University Center, as well as an expansion of the Metro Rail line to UH.’

SGA has also continued to push for Tier-1 status and attempted to relax University punishments against drug- and alcohol-related offenses via the Good Samaritan Bill.’

In light of the economy, SGA has also filed a petition to freeze tuition and fees for the next academic year, institute a guaranteed tuition plan, maintain the family contract and expand summer course offerings. The petition can be read and signed at http://petitionspot.com/petitions/helpSGAfreezetuition.’

Last fall’s presidential campaign ads also exhorted everyone to register to vote. For University students however, no registration is required. Coming to campus isn’t even necessary. Simply go to http://studentelection.uh.edu, and enter your PeopleSoft number.

Students are only allowed to vote once for the President and Vice President, At-Large Senators and representatives for the college of their major.’

So, find some time between studying for midterms and prepping for spring break to vote. Only taking a few minutes, voting gives you a say in how you want your university to be run.

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