Lilly Clark

University of North Alabama’s Student Government Association’s declaration of senator candidacy closed on Feb. 9. Candidates are now focused on campaigning until the elections from Mar. 10 through 12. Do you know how it all works?
SGA’s student senate’s role is to be a voice for the student body. It is composed of UNA’s four academic colleges and apportioned one representative per 500 students. The College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering receives eight, the Sanders College of Business and Technology receives nine, the College of Education and Human Sciences receives five and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions receives three.
Following Webster’s method of apportionment, the allocation happens by dividing the total number of UNA students by the number of determined college’s enrolled students. If the number results in a number with decimals, it will be rounded to the next whole number. So, if the result is 11.53, where the decimal is equal to or higher than .5, it results in 12 representatives. It will be rounded down if the decimal is lower than .5, where 11.46 becomes 11.
The Senate is composed of 30 senators. Out of the candidates, 25 will be elected by public vote, while the other five are general seats appointed by the President-elect and two-thirds of the student senate.
Former SGA historian and current student senator Micheal Gilliland shared the importance of being a senator.
“I am a part of the Legislative Affairs [Committee]. We work with the local and state governments to help the university and our students. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn to serve as a student,” said Gilliland.
Academic Affairs Committee chair Jada Winston added, “[As a senator] you are able to have a diversity of thought, a diversity in cultures and lots of different ideas. It’s important to have your voice heard. Especially in an atmosphere where there are a lot of different opinions always being thrown at you. You need to be able to have a voice, to do something about it and have an action.”
Students also shared their views on the SGA and its senators.
“The SGA posted an update on the parking problem on their socials. It detailed exactly how many parking spots are unavailable and other in-depth data,” said UNA band member Logan Dye. “More of that is what we need from them. All the research and transparency in things we want to see changed.”
“SGA has done a lot for Greek life. I noticed they have really put in the effort for it,” said Alpha Sigma Phi president Layne Bowen. “I feel like we could have more events with them throughout the year.”
“In my opinion, SGA is doing as much as they can, but they can only do so much under the president and provost,” said Mark Smith, a junior English major.
SGA president and vice-president are also chosen throughout the period. For 2025, Alexandra Rhoades, current Elections and Recruitment Committee chair, is running for president alongside Nicole Ballinger, current Freshman Forum advisor, for vice president. The pair runs unopposed, which means there are no other candidates running for their positions.
On Mar. 10, UNA students will receive an election ballot on their university email, where they will be able to vote for a senator within their academic college and president and vice president duo. Students will be able to fill the ballot until Mar. 12.