Student Government 2022 Voter Guide

2022 STUDENT GOVERNMENT

VOTER GUIDE

Inside is everything you need to know about the candidates, voting, and why it matters.

First issue is free. Each additional copy is 50 cents and available in the newsroom.

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VOL.25 | #1 | 2.16.2022

UPRESSONLINE.COM FACEBOOK.COM/UNIVERSITYPRESS @UPRESSONLINE

WANT TO GET INVOLVED AT THE UP? Weekly meetings: Fridays 2-3 p.m. in room 214 of the Student Union Email: universitypress@gmail.com Instagram and Twitter: @upressonline TO PLACE AN AD Contact Wesley Wright wwrigh21@fau.edu (561)297-29604 PUBLISHER FAU Student Government The opinions expressed by the UP are not necessarily those of the student body, student government, or FAU.

Most of the photos in the issue were supplied by the candidates and SG.

2 UNIVERSITY PRESS

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Where Does the Money Go?

About the Board of Trustees…

How does Student Government decide where to allocate its multimillion dollar budget?

The BoT is referenced frequently in this issue, so the UP dug up exactly what the board does.

BY MELANIE GOMEZ

BY KIZZY AZCARATE

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Meet the Candidates It’s been at least four years since more than three presidential candidates ran for student body president and vice president. In 2022, there are four presidential candidates. Meet the candidates and decide who you want to vote for this year.

Where Student Government and Greek Life intertwine Many members of SG are also members of Greek life: is SG too influenced by Greek life?

BY JUSTINE KANTOR

BY MICHAEL GENNARO

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Turning Up to the Polls

The UP asked the candidates a few general questions about FAU and their campaigns.

Here’s how they answered.

With voter turnout having been low for the past couple of years, student leaders give their advice to candidates to rejuvenate more participation from the community.

Candidate Q&A

BY MICHAEL GENNARO

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SG Requirements VS. Rewards Ever wondered what it takes to be an elected member of Student Government? The UP looked into the requirements and benefits a student body president, student body vice president, and campus governor has for each of the positions.

BY RICHARD PEREIRA

BY RICHARD PEREIRA

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To vote or not to vote?

The UP posted a poll on Instagram asking students whether or not they would be voting in the SG election. Here’s what they had to say.

Editor’s Letter

2022

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

VOTER GUIDE

Why You Should Give a Damn About SG

BY KENDALL LITTLE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

2. THE STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT HAS A SAY IN MAJOR UNIVERSITY DECISIONS.

Kendall Little

MANAGING EDITOR

Michael Gennaro NEWS EDITOR

Justine Kantor STUDENT LIFE EDITOR

Kizzy Azcarate

SPORTS EDITOR

Bryce Totz

COPY DESK CHIEF

Ma. Emilia Santander LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER

Eston Parker III

DIRECTOR OF BROADCAST

Marcy Wilder

M

ANY STUDENTS were upset with the current student body president this year – some even called for his removal. But they only have themselves to blame.

A lowly 990 students voted in the Student Government presidential election last year. Sure, there was only one presidential candidate, but things are different this year. There are four presidential tickets on the ballot.

With the election quickly approaching, I’ve compiled the top three reasons why you should give a damn about SG and voting.

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

1. SG HAS $9.6 MILLION OF YOUR DOLLARS TO SPEND.

BUSINESS MANAGER

SG’s budget comes from activity and service fees that you pay as a student.

Each candidate wants to implement different things on campus using that money, whether it be free Spotify and Hulu or new dining options. The best part is, they can actually do it.

In the past, SG has created and funded several initiatives for students such as discounted Lyft rides, parking ticket forgiveness, and discounts at certain dining and retail outlets.

Take a look at each candidate’s plans to spend their multi-million-dollar budget and make sure they’re using it the way you want them to. After all, it’s your money.

Natalie Angel

Richard Pereira

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Melanie Gomez ADVISERS

Wesley Wright, Ilene Prusher, Michael Koretzky DESIGNER

Ivan Benavides

The student body president not only approves or denies initiatives, but they also sit on one of, if not the, most important boards at the university: the Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees, which you can read about on page 13, makes essentially all the big decisions that affect the university. The 13 members of the board can decide everything from what warrants an elevator repair to what kind of funding a research project gets.

The student body president acts as a student voice on the board to make sure the decisions are aligning with what students want. Make sure to elect someone that you’re confident will stand up for what’s best for you.

3. SG MEMBERS ARE MEANT TO REPRESENT YOU. According to the most recent FAU Diversity Report, 19.8% of enrolled students were Black, 26.5% were Hispanic, and 4.5% were Asian, making the university one of the most diverse in the state.

SG as an entity is meant to represent the student body to not only university officials, but to state officials. Every year, SG representatives travel to Tallahassee to lobby for funding for university projects, such as additional medical resources on campus and advancing artificial intelligence research.

As you flip through these pages, keep in mind how you want SG leaders to represent you this year.

Someone in this issue will become your next student body president. Make sure you have a say in who it is by voting on Feb. 22 through Owl Central.

UNIVERSITY PRESS 3

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? How does Student Government decide where to allocate its multi-million dollar budget?

SG expects that the activity and service fee will increase within the next couple of years with Florida’s minimum wage laws updating, where there is an increase each year on Sept. 30 until the minimum wage reaches $15 an hour by 2026.

“Hopefully we can acquire more revenue and then we can give more to departments on campus and pay for jobs,” said Meyers.

BY MELANIE GOMEZ

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VERY SPRING SEMESTER, Student Government members decide the budget plans for the upcoming fiscal year, which starts in July. For the 2021-2022 school year, Student Government received a $9.6 million dollar budget, which is dispersed among different departments such as the Program Board and the Office of Greek Life.

With the upcoming SG elections, students will elect officials this spring whose decisions will affect how much money will go into student initiatives and activities.

HOW IS FAU’S SG BUDGET DISPERSED? A committee that consists of the vice president, the chief financial officer, the campus treasurer, and senators decide the annual budget plan. SG’s budget comes from the activity and service fee, which comes from tuition and student fees and is put into an account to fund to benefit the student body.

According to Chief Financial Officer Pierce Kennamer, the presentations each department gives based on their funding needs heading into the next school year influence the committee’s decision on the funding for each department.

“We’ll go account by account and we’ll look at their spending from previous quarters and semesters. And from there, we’ll see how well they are spending their money,” Kennamer said.

Committee members make a decision on each student organization’s budget by gauging different aspects of their respective presentations, including their rationale for asking for more money if they chose to do so.

Florida’s minimum wage increased to $10 this past January, meaning groups that use their budget to pay student employees now have to account for using more of their budget to do so.

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THE BREAKDOWN While SG receives a $9.6 million dollar budget, only a fraction of it is spent on initiatives, clubs, and events for students.

STARTING BUDGET

$9,602,672 Boca Campus Treasurer Kirk Meyers

“A lot of budget requests have increased because our state raised [its] minimum wage, so a lot of our wages have gone up for that reason,” said Kennamer.

Since SG operates on a fiscal system, where funds are collected and dispersed, it allows an opportunity for SG to reimburse money to other programs. One way is derived from the student employees.

If a student does not use all of their hours, leftover money is eventually used for other initiatives.

According to Boca Campus Treasurer Kirk Meyers, the remaining unused money from a semester can go up to an estimated $80,000 on average.

Boca Raton SG initiatives, Multicultural Programming, COSO and SAVI

$935,000

Broward SG initiatives, SAVI, and COSO

$211,912

Jupiter SG initiatives, SAVI, and COSO

$200,054

Greek Life

$178,359

Total used

$1,525,325

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE NEAR FUTURE Almost two years after the COVID-19 pandemic uprooted students’ college lives, many groups are operating closer to normal.

“We have a lot of different departments experiencing more engagement and having more demand for money, but we don’t necessarily have more money to be giving out,” said Meyers.

Meyers said SG plans to place more strict requirements on departments who would like to ask for more money in their next budget.

WHERE DOES THE REST GO? • • • • •

Boca Raton Student Union Funding Owlsley and Hoot Staff and faculty salaries Harbor Branch Oceanic Institute Campus upkeep

MEET THE CANDIDATES It’s been at least four years since more than three presidential candidates ran for student body president and vice president. In 2022, there are four presidential candidates.

Meet the candidates and decide who you want to vote for this year.

Student Body President and Vice President ISABELLA DONADIO PIZZOLATO

LARISSA GUIMARAES BAFILE

izzolato is a newcomer; she’s never P served in Student Government in any capacity before, but she wants to be a bridge

everything? I don’t. But I think a big part of [being a leader] is being willing to learn to do it and to know when to learn,” Pizzolato said.

“Everything I read [about the role] was more focused on paperwork, nothing more towards the students itself. I would try to change things a little bit. Not too crazy.”

Voter turnout in recent SG elections has fallen; it was just 3.3% in Spring 2021, a 72.33% decrease from Spring 2020. Pizzolato is not surprised at the low turnout.

“I think people need a purpose [to vote].

What’s the point? Did someone ever talk to you? Did they ever do something for you?

Then why would people vote?” Pizzolato said.

“I can see the perspective of it. How can we be more inclusive? How can we show we care to the point where we don’t need to beg for a vote?”

Bafile did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

BY MICHAEL GENNARO

STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT The president and vice president each have budgets that together total $64,000 to spend on their initiatives. Read about all of their responsibilities and rewards on page 12.

between the students and SG. Her ultimate goal is to make SG more inclusive, which is something she doesn’t see now.

“You’d want to see students’ concerns addressed. But I don’t really see that [right now]. I’ve been at FAU for a while and I’ve never heard of Student Government asking anything like ‘are you okay?’” Pizzolato said.

“Like ‘what should we do to improve your experience?’ I’ve never heard any of that.”

Pizzolato has been studying the job description for the president position, but admits she doesn’t know everything yet. Still, she has some experience in leadership. She was the president of the Medical Professionals Association at her old school, Palm Beach State.

“I’m an honest person. If I told you I know

UNIVERSITY PRESS 5

Student Body President and Vice President PIERCE KENNAMER / DALIA CALVILLO

n experienced SG ticket, Pierce A Kennamer and Dalia Calvillo have big plans if they win.

The pillars of their campaign are enhancement of campus life, academic resources, and student safety. Their first initiative will be to take aim at the aggressive petitioners on the Breezeway. Kennamer has received numerous complaints from students about the petitioners, some of whom told him they avoid the Breezeway entirely. “[We want] to have a university police officer on the Breezeway during tabling times, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those clubs are trying to bring in new recruiting or to endorse or promote their club, and we have students avoiding that area,” Kennamer said.

If elected president, Kennamer wants to foster a sense of approachability in the office.

“I feel like sometimes the student body president and vice president feel unapproachable, or they’re never really seen.

I feel like that’s a problem. We want to be walking alongside students; we don’t want to be walking above students,” Kennamer said.

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Kennamer knows his biggest chance to enact change will be on the university’s Board of Trustees, if he’s elected.

“You’re there to represent the students and if there’s something they’re voting on that’s not in the best interest of the students, I have every single right and it’s my duty as student body president to stand up and fight for the students,” Kennamer said. “I have no problem being the person to take [students’ concerns] in front of that board and saying ‘this is what students want.’”

Kennamer says he was very influential in reviving the once-dormant campus parking citation forgiveness program, where students can get parking tickets expunged in exchange for canned goods. The canned goods are donated to a food pantry in the Dean of Students office on the second floor in the Breezeway. He said over 90 students this year have taken advantage of the program, and is working to get it started on the Jupiter campus.

Kennamer also manages the Lyft program on campus that hands out free Lyft rides to

students a few times per month. Kennamer is still working on that program. His next goal is to make it safer. He’s working with the What’s My Name foundation, an organization that fights human trafficking and sexual assault, to bring rideshare safety signs to campus reminding students to be mindful of the cars they get into.

Kennamer is also working with the It’s On Us committee for a university-wide week to bring awareness to sexual assault on campus, what it looks like, and how to stop it.

Lastly, Kennamer was an influential voice in the creation of the testing reimbursement program, where students can take tests like the MCAT at the testing center free of charge.

Calvillo’s main goal is better communication with the Senate, student body, and campuses outside of the Boca Raton campus.

“Something that we really want to change is the communication between us and the student body. We hold office hours, but it’s rare for students outside of [Student Government] to come. And we really want [to] listen to others and their needs,” Calvillo said.

Most of Calvillo’s initiatives mirror her running mate, Kennamer. She has one in particular that’s close to her heart though, that she came up with herself.

“I am a first-generation student, and I want to represent them. The goal of a first-gen student is to graduate, to take that big step,” Calvilllo said. “It’s very important. I’d like to give all students that graduate a free photo shoot, as something to look forward to. That’s one of my own initiatives.”

Calvillo mentioned having sit downs with students at Starbucks or other coffee shops on campus as a way to reach students and hear their concerns first hand.

The low voter turnout can be changed by being more available to students than their predecessors, Calvillo said.

“A way to secure [their vote] is to let students know what is going to happen. Letting people know that there’s work that has been done…

I think people don’t vote because they don’t know what’s been done. A big part of it is us communicating with them [the students],” Calvillo said.

Student Body President and Vice President LILY MACDONALD / KAILA PALMER

ily MacDonald and Kaila Palmer have an L ambitious list of initiatives they want to work on if they win.

MacDonald, the current student body Vice President, wants better communication between SG and the student body and to increase school spirit, and Palmer, currently a Senator, wants to work on making SG more diverse.

“I don’t see many people of color necessarily in government,” Palmer said. “So I thought it’d be a great idea to run and bring diversity to Student Government, to a leadership role at FAU… Diversity is at the top of my list.”

MacDonald wants to implement a council that will include all organizations on campus to make sure that SG is receiving students’ feedback.

“It will be a way to increase communication among the different organizations on events and different things that are happening, as well as a way to mitigate any issues that students are facing,” MacDonald said.

Another priority initiative, MacDonald said, is diversifying the dining options on campus.

She wants to increase dining hours, as she doesn’t believe the current hours work for all students, especially those with night classes.

“We have some ideas of different restaurants that we would like to bring onto campus,” MacDonald said.

MacDonald and Palmer also want a Greek unity garden, a place that will serve as a representative space for all Greek organizations on campus. MacDonald and Palmer don’t see much unity between the organizations right now and believe an initiative like the garden could change that.

They also want to get the campus food pantry a refrigerator and a freezer, something the pantry does not currently have.

“Another thing that’s been promised in the past that we really want to make sure gets completed this year is free feminine products in all bathrooms. As a woman, the problems with being on campus and going to the bathroom and needing those feminine products, but not having any on me or any in the bathroom to even purchase,” MacDonald said.

Lastly, MacDonald spoke of better allocating the money that is given to Student Government. SG has a $9.6 million budget and she wants to see that money spent wisely, to benefit the students.

To increase school spirit, MacDonald wants to do more things that engage the student body. She said that as Vice President, she helped organize a trip to Gainesville and provided 500 free tickets for FAU students to attend the football season opener at the University of Florida.

“I would like to continue that tradition as long as possible,” MacDonald said. “When students come out, they realize how fun it is and how cool the school spirit atmosphere is once you’re sitting down at the game… It’s a really cool opportunity to increase school spirit.”

MacDonald also plans to lobby to increase the add/drop period. Currently it is one week, which she doesn’t believe is enough time to learn if a class or professor is right for students, or to find new classes if students do drop a class. She wants to see it increased to two weeks.

“I would like to use my spot on the Board of Trustees in order to persuade them to push these initiatives through because all of our platform points have come directly from students and what students want,” MacDonald said. “I know I’m going to be a driving force for all these initiatives and make sure that they are all executed.”

MacDonald has experience passing ambitious initiatives. As Vice President, her vaccine incentive program convinced over 400 students to be vaccinated in exchange for a Visa gift card.

On the topic of voter turnout, MacDonald had a simple message: “The Board of Trustees, they sit above President Kelly, and they really make the most distinguishable differences on campus,” she said. “Once all students are more aware of the power that student officials have, they’ll be more likely to vote.”

UNIVERSITY PRESS 7

BOCA CAMPUS GOVERNOR

ADAM TROUT / YAGO CECCHINI

The governor receives $20,000 to spend on their initiatives for the student body.

Read about all of their responsibilities and rewards on page 12.

Photo by Eston Parker III

Student Body President and Vice President

dam Trout and Yago Cecchini are A running together to address the concerns and needs of the common student. They want to better allocate the budget and upgrade some of the amenities on campus.

“As a student that’s not in a fraternity or involved with Student Government, I feel like I represent more the everyday student here on campus, and we want to tackle more relevant issues than some of the other candidates,” Trout said.

Cecchini decided to run with Trout to help better allocate funds to address important needs on campus, among other things.

Cecchini is pursuing an MBA at FAU after completing his bachelor’s degree from Palm Beach State college.

Class availability is a major focus for Cecchini. If his ticket wins, he’d like to use his platform as Student Body Vice President to push for changes to the class schedule.

He has had problems with scheduling conflicts and class availability in his time as a student.

“The entire point of the university is to offer classes to students to get their degrees, right? If you don’t have classes available, that’s a huge issue,” Cecchini said.

One of Trout’s big initiatives is parking reform. He says it’s hard to find parking on campus, and that red faculty spaces are barely used and that the parking lines should be redrawn.

In lot 23, Trout said “there are 62 parking

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spots that hardly ever get used by faculty that could be more useful to students.”

Trout wants to look at other lots besides lot 23, and see if he can lobby to get more green and blue spots added for students.

He says it’s especially hard to find spots at night.

Better amenities are key to the Trout/ Cecchini ticket.

“If you go into General South, you’re sitting in very dated classrooms in very uncomfortable seats. You don’t have any cell service,” Trout said. “If we can fix some of those issues, we could be doing a lot better than we are right now.”

Cecchini wants to lower the activity and service fees that all students pay. Students pay $12.32 per credit hour in activity and service fees to the university.

To increase voter turnout and engagement with SG, Trout wants to have more engagement with students in classrooms if his ticket wins.

“If the students can see that the Student Government is actually caring about their interests in school, because the education here is supposed to be the foundation for the rest of your life,” Trout said. “Students, I feel, would be more obligated to come out and vote because the main issues that they have are being addressed.”

Cecchini mentioned a newsletter or better marketing to get the student body to know the candidates better as one way of increasing engagement and voting.

Boca Campus Governor LISA BROWN-BANIC / MARK MEYER

isa Brown-Banic and Mark Meyer L are also running for Boca Raton campus gov. but did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Broward Campus Governor

Boca Campus Governor DEANNA MANCUSO

eanna Mancuso is a newcomer to D Florida; she moved to the sunshine state last February. She’s majoring in marketing and currently works as a marketing director for the student government House of Representatives. When she graduates, Mancuso wants to run for local office.

Mancuso wanted to get involved with SG because she said she had a rough time fitting in when she first got to campus. She said her sorority sisters convinced her to join the House of Representatives.

“After that, I felt like I was getting really involved on campus. I moved up from just a regular representative to being a part of the House Administrative Cabinet as the marketing officer, and the vice chair of the Campus Action Committee,” Mancuso said. “It was so exciting. And then I ended up applying to be a part of the governor’s cabinet, and I got the position as the Boca Raton campus marketing director.”

Mancuso has steadily risen through the ranks and believes she’s ready to handle more responsibility. Through working under the current governor, Rhoda Hoods, Mancuso has learned a lot about the position.

“Rhoda Hoods is amazing. I think [if I win], I will be able to accomplish a lot, and I was like, ‘this is something I really want to do,’” Mancuso said.

Mancuso’s main goal is to overhaul the 24-hour study building, located near ChickFil-A in the Breezeway.

“I’ve already started talking with some Student Union administrators about remodeling the space to make it nicer,” Mancuso said.

She also wants to extend campus recreation hours, as those with night classes might miss events with the current hours, and to enrich the dining experience on campus.

“I know that there are some breaks during the day where students can’t go to the dining hall because they’re preparing for the next meal. I want to explore a deal with the dining services to allow grab and go options to be open during those breaks,” Mancuso said.

The campus governor’s main objective is to oversee all campus programs, according to Mancuso. If she wins, it will be her responsibility to see that all student organizations are running smoothly and to be there to help them if not.

The governor also oversees Multicultural Programming, which constantly has events around campus, and the annual Bonfire music festival.

“Making sure every student has an event that represents them. That they can celebrate their holidays and things and feel at home even if they’re not with their family,” Mancuso said.

Beyond her work at SG, Mancuso is the founder and president of Owls Speech and Debate. The organization has already won awards in the novice category, and she says she is currently planning a tournament to be hosted at FAU in April against other universities.

YAXMIRA MORALES

Jupiter Campus Governor JOHANN CIFUENTES

axmira Morales and Johann Y Cifuentes are running unopposed for Broward and Jupiter campus governor respectively.

UNIVERSITY PRESS 9

Candidate Q&A

The UP asked the candidates a few general questions about FAU and their campaigns. Here’s how they answered.

BY MICHAEL GENNARO

Q: WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?

LILY MACDONALD: I decided to run for president because I’ve been in SG for three years. Through my various positions, I’ve had some differences with the previous leadership styles that past Presidents have had. I think that there’s a lack of communication between the students and Student Government oftentimes, and I have a lot of ideas I want to present in order to fix that, and I want to create a better atmosphere overall in Student Government.

KAILA PALMER: I wanted to run because I didn’t necessarily see many people of color in Student Government.

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PIERCE KENNAMER: My big thing is just installing what I want to install in Student Government, not even just on an initiative scale. Timeliness, punctuality, professionalism and a sense of approachability.

DALIA CALVILLO: Something we really want to change is having that better communication between us and the student body. Having better communication with the other campuses as well.

ADAM TROUT: I felt the need to run because as a student that’s not in a fraternity or Student Government, I feel like I represent more of the everyday student here on campus and [I can] tackle more relevant issues than some of the other candidates.

YAGO CECCHINI: I’ve been at FAU for two years now and I’ve noticed a few areas where it seems to me like the university can do some improvements.

I think we should see how we can improve the allocation of funds in the budget to address those important needs.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST INITIATIVE IF YOU WIN?

ISABELLA DONADIO PIZZOLATO: I really like helping people. This is a big thing for me. I like being kind to people because we never know what’s really going on with anyone. I’m really caring and if I can help you in any way I will.

LM: A council that will include all organizations on campus and they will report monthly to Student Government, it will be a way to increase communication among the different organizations on campus and different things that are happening, as well as mitigate any issues that students are facing. Make sure we’re hearing from students and ensure we’re consistently getting student feedback.

KP: A Greek community garden, which would bring all the groups together. It’d be close to the Breezeway somewhere.

PK: One thing we’re trying to combat is to take aim at those petitioners, having a university police officer on site on the Breezeway during tabling times, from 10 a.m to 2 p.m.

DC: I would like to give every student a free graduation photoshoot. Also, having someone in the Breezeway in case someone’s feeling like they’re being assaulted in any way.

AT: In lot 23, there is a red lot and green lot. The red lot is for faculty. The green is for students. And the red lot bleeds into the side of the road where the green lot is, and there’s 62 parking spots that don’t get used by faculty that could be more useful for students. We would like to redraw those parking lines… We are [also] looking outward at the other lots on campus.

YC: Class availability. …When I went to register for classes, a lot of classes I had to take were either not available or there was only one section being offered. And because of that there were time conflicts with some of the other classes that I needed. …If you don’t have classes available, it’s a huge issue.

DM: I want to explore remodeling the 24-hour study… It’s a little bit run down and it’s Student Government property. … [I want] to make sure that it’s up to par with what we want.

Q: HOW MANY STUDENTS DOES FAU HAVE ACROSS ALL OF ITS CAMPUSES? LM: There are 30,000 students at FAU KP: I would be guessing, honestly.

IP: I saw a number, but I don’t remember exactly.

PK: I couldn’t say with confidence.

DC: YC AND AT: It’s about 30,000

DEANNA MANCUSO: I got the position as Boca Raton campus marketing director. And through that I learned so much about the governor’s role on campus and I really think that if I had the same responsibilities and the same goals as our current governor, Rhoda Hoods, I think I would be able to accomplish a lot. This is something I really want to do.

ANSWER: FAU had 37,625 enrolled students as of Fall 2020.

Q: WHAT IS THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT BUDGET? LM: Student Government receives $9.8 million in funding each year.

KP: I do not know off the top of my head.

IP: They sent me a PowerPoint from one of the presentations, but I do not remember the number.

PK: This past year, I believe the budget was $9.8 million. Either $9.8 or $9.6 million.

DC: I believe, at the moment, it’s something like $9.1 million.

AT AND YG: It’s almost $10 million.

ANSWER: The SG budget was $9.6 million this year.

UNIVERSITY PRESS 11

SG REQUIREMENTS VS. REWARDS Ever wondered what it takes to be an elected member of Student Government?

The UP looked into the requirements and benefits a student body president, student body vice president, and campus governor has for each of the positions.

“I’m not in Student Government for the free tuition or parking spot.

It’s definitely a perk but if I had that stuff taken away, I would still be running. I would still be just as passionate as I am because I think it’s really cool that you can make a difference,” Current Student Body Vice President Lily MacDonald

BY RICHARD PEREIRA PHOTO BY ESTON PARKER III

REQUIREMENTS STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT

STUDENT BODY VICE PRESIDENT

1.

1.

Must be registered full-time at FAU (12 or more credits for undergrads, six or more credits for graduates)

Must be registered full-time at FAU (12 or more credits for undergrads, six or more credits for graduates)

2. Must have a 2.7 GPA as an undergraduate or a 3.25 GPA as a graduate to be in good academic standing

2. Must have a 2.7 GPA as an undergraduate or a 3.25 GPA as a graduate to be in good academic standing

3. Must be seeking a degree

3. Must be seeking a degree

4. Must have at least 30 credits completed as an undergrad, or at least nine credits as a graduate

4. Must have at least 30 credits completed as an undergrad, or at least nine credits as a graduate

5. Must not be on academic or student conduct probation

5. Must not be on academic or student conduct probation

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CAMPUS GOVERNOR 1.

Must take 50% of their courses at the specified campus

2. Must be registered full-time at FAU (12 or more credits for undergrads, six or more credits for graduates) 3. Must have a 2.7 GPA as an undergraduate or a 3.25 GPA as a graduate to be in good academic standing 4. Must be seeking a degree 5. Must have at least 30 credits completed as an undergrad, or at least nine credits as a graduate 6. Must not be on academic or student conduct probation

REWARDS STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT 1.

$13.00/hour for 20 hours/ week for 50 weeks/year

2. Has a reserved parking spot 3. Votes alongside the Board of Trustees as a member 4. Is the Student Representative on University Committees (i.e. Tech Fee Committee, Student Media Advisory Board, Policy Review Committee, Alumni Board Committee) 5. Is the Student Voice on hiring committees for Faculty and Staff selections

VICE PRESIDENT 1.

2. Has a reserved parking spot 3. Serves as the President of the Senate 4. Serves as the head of the UBAC allocating $9.8 million in student funding 5. Represents FAU with state officials at FAU Day and Rally in Tally 6. Has a $15,000 budget to complete projects and initiatives on campus 7.

6. Has final signing authority on all legislation from the House and Senate 7.

Hires a cabinet to help execute platform goals (i.e.

Marketing Director, Chief of Staff, Treasurer, and Governmental Relations)

$13.00/hour for 20 hours/ week for 50 weeks/year

May be given tuition and/or fee reimbursement/waivers up to a maximum of 30 undergraduate in-state credit hours (up to 27 graduate instate credit hours)

CAMPUS GOVERNOR

8. Represents FAU with state officials at FAU Day and Rally in Tally

1.

9. Gets to work with SG Presidents from other Florida universities

3. Hires a cabinet to help execute platform goals (i.e.

Marketing Director, Chief of Staff, Treasurer)

10. Appoints the Chief Justice 11. Appoints the Supervisor of Elections 12. Has a $49,000 budget to complete projects and initiatives on campus 13. May be given tuition and/or fee reimbursement/waivers up to a maximum of 30 undergraduate in-state credit hours (up to 27 graduate instate credit hours)

$12.00/hour for 20 hours/ week for 48 weeks/year

2. Has a reserved parking spot

4. Hires Program Directors (i.e.

Program Board, Multicultural Programming Board, SAVI, COSO, Night Owls, Pep Talk) 5. Hosts weekly Cabinet meetings 6. Appoints students to various committees (i.e. Student Union, Campus Rec, etc.)

7.

Reports to the SG House

8. Has a $20,000 to complete projects and initiatives on campus

About the Board of Trustees…

The BoT is referenced frequently in this issue, so the UP dug up exactly what the board does.

BY KIZZY AZCARATE

WHAT DOES THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES DO? The BoT is responsible for formulating budgets, review performances, housing budgets and more. In recent years, BoT has made decisions regarding increases in student housing rent, daycare, tuition, and anti-discrimination policy changes. BoT holds a considerable amount of power when deciding the necessary changes needed to uphold FAU’s pedigree.

“Pretty much every major decision that affects students overall gets approved by the board,” said Student Body Vice President Lily MacDonald.

WHO IS ON THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES? The BoT is made up of 13 members: six are appointed by the Florida Governor, six by the Board of Governors, and the student body president.

The Board of Governors is a 17-member group that is the governing body of the State University System of Florida.

The six appointees chosen by the Board of Governors must go through a confirmation by the Florida Senate.

When asked about the importance of having the student body president as a conduit for students, MacDonald said, “The student body president is there to ask questions to make sure that everything they’re passing is in the overall benefit of all the students.”

HOW OFTEN DOES THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEET? According to the BoT’s “Upcoming Meeting” page, the board is set to have four meetings for the remainder of the 2022, not including the BoT retreat which will take place on Sept. 19 and 20.

UNIVERSITY PRESS 13

WHERE STUDENT GOVERNMENT AND GREEK LIFE INTERTWINE Many members of SG are also members of Greek life: is SG too influenced by Greek life?

BY JUSTINE KANTOR

W

HILE MANY students find themselves joining more than one on-campus organization, Student Government and Greek Life seem to be a popular extracurricular duo.

Student Body President Maxwell Simonson and Presidential Candidate Pierce Kennamer are in Pi Kappa Alpha, which is part of the Interfraternity Council.

Current Boca Raton Campus Governor Rhoda Hoods and Vice President Lily Macdonald are both members of Greek organizations, along with Boca Raton campus governor candidate Deanna Mancuso and Vice Presidential candidate Dalia Calvillo.

With members of Greek life holding leadership positions currently – and possibly in the future – the question arises: is SG too influenced by Greek life?

“I believe there is a bias for members of greek life to vote for people who are also in greek life,” said Vice President Lily MacDonald. “I feel that it’s similar to other [organizations], where people in an organization are more likely to vote for someone in their [organization]. There may be some circumstances where members of greek vote for someone not in greek, but there is definitely a bias, as there is in most [organizations].”

14 UNIVERSITY PRESS

However, Deanna Mancuso says that members can separate themselves from Greek life within SG. “I don’t think that there is an overwhelming amount of people in Student Government that are in Greek life,” said Mancuso. “I think that those [who] aren’t flashy about it.”

Fourth-year Anthropology major Farantos Carras says he does not vote for candidates based on personal relations.

“I try to vote for candidates who seem to focus on issues that I not only care about, but seem directly related to me as well,” Carras said. “If the candidate seems honest, reliable, and I believe that they are to genuinely help the student body, then they have my vote.”

Director of Student Activities and Involvement Donald Van Pelt also weighed in on the subject, pointing out that Greek life does not entirely make up SG. “Although the [Student Government] President and Vice President positions have been held by members of the Greek community the past few years, we have many positions in Student Government held by nonGreek affiliated members who also represent the student body,” said Van Pelt.

Van Pelt does not believe that being a member of Greek life and SG creates any issues.

“I don’t believe being a member of the Greek community affects our student leader’s ability to effectively lead and make decisions.”

Several SG members agree that being in Greek life helps them better serve the student body.

“One of the values of Alpha Delta Pi, and my favorite one, is service. Being a sister of [ADPI] and living under our values comes with the great responsibility of always performing my best when it comes to service for others,” said Calvillo.

“Learning this from my sisterhood is an advantage,

as I can demonstrate these values within the student government as a servant to our community. It reminds me to give my best in everything that requires my leadership.”

Calvillo also expressed that being in Greek life helps her understand the student body’s needs. “[Greek Life] allows me to view Student Government with a perspective of how others view Student Government. It has been beneficial as I get to listen to the suggestions from girls not only in my chapter, but all the Greek community,” Calvillo said.

According to Kennamer, being a member of Greek life does not offer an advantage to SG members.

“I believe the skills and education that I’ve learned from being a member of Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE) has definitely helped translate to [Student Government], but I believe Student Government is a ‘come as you are’ organization,” said Kennamer. “Having individuals who are involved in different things with different interests helps create a diverse reach to students, as well as more diverse thoughts and opinions.”

Kennamer also says that he has regularly attended beneficial leadership events as a member of PIKE. “During my undergraduate time I have been able to attend five different summits, speaking with community business leaders… This gave me a unique opportunity to learn how to be a better leader, as well as travel and become a more well-rounded and diverse individual,” Kennamer said. “I think finding my voice and passion for leadership was exemplified through these outlets, which definitely translates not only to [Student Government] but also my professional career.”

Deanna Mancuso, candidate for Boca Raton campus governor, poses with her sorority sister during Fall 2021 Spirit Week for Theta Phi Alpha. (Photo courtesy of Mancuso)

Dalia Calvillo (right), vice presidential candidate, poses with her sorority sister during the Alpha Delta Pi Water Wars philanthropy event. “Our chapter raised almost 28k for Ronald McDonald House Charities,” she said. (Photo courtesy of Calvillo)

Pierce Kennamer, presidential candidate, at the Pi Kappa Alpha University Executive Conference in July 2021. (Photo courtesy of Pierce Kennamer)

UNIVERSITY PRESS 15

TURNING UP TO THE POLLS

With voter turnout having been low for the past couple of years, student leaders give their advice to candidates to rejuvenate more participation from the community.

BY RICHARD PEREIRA

A

S STUDENT Government elections go underway on Owl Central beginning Feb. 22 and ending on Feb. 23, a question on the mind of the campus community is: how many will come out to vote?

Voter turnout in SG elections has been low in recent years. Even though 2019 and 2020 had the highest turnout in the last five years of about 11% of the student body, just 4.1% voted in 2021, according to publicly available records from the Board of Elections.

FAU Elections Board supervisor Kory Edgeworth wrote in an email to the UP that one factor in the decrease of voter turnout in 2021 was the “impact of COVID-19 and the lack of people coming to campus due to large amounts of students enrolled in fully online/hybrid classes.”

Political science professor Kevin Wagner described the crucial role voter turnout plays in determining the results of SG elections.

“It’s pretty important for Student Government just because the number of people who turn out is relatively low so the people [who] do turn out have a disproportionately large say in who wins and who loses,” Wagner said.

Butch Oxendine, the Executive Director of the American Student Government Association, said getting people to vote can be difficult.

“Student Government is not seen generally as a powerful force. That’s something they’ve got to work on. They got to work on proving to students that they’re worth the time to even vote electronically,” Oxendine said.

Oxendine said the training his organization provides to student governments around the country helps counter the perception that student government organizations are powerless, irrelevant, or are negative training grounds for future politicians. “[Students] can vote anytime and anywhere for a period of a couple of days, and why don’t they?

Because they don’t think it’s worth their time, that’s the bottom line,” Oxendine said. “When Student Government is on the student body’s radar, when

16 UNIVERSITY PRESS

they see them as relevant, then they can be a champion on bigger picture Students Demand Action President Alisa Gonzalez (pictured issues.” center-right) tabling alongside club members (Courtesy of Joao Staziaki, president of Solidarity Students Demand Action) — an FAU club that intends to give a left-wing perspective on issues occurring on campus, in local areas, and at the national level — said that the low turnout what the student body needs and wants,” Gonzalez may be due to a lack of connection between the said. “If there was more voter turnout, then it would student body and SG. be an accurate representation of what the campus “I also don’t know how to vote for Student looks like, wants, needs, and things like that.”

Government so I think that most students don’t care If a student body president sees low turnout because they don’t know, they don’t vote, or they from the election, Oxendine said it would cause don’t know how to vote,” Staziaki said. “I don’t administrators to see them as “ineffective.” think the school does a very good job of explaining “It tells me right away that they’re not a champion why they should, I don’t think the school does a very of the general student body, they don’t have the good job of explaining how to, [and] I don’t think pulse of the student body so that makes me, as an that it should be up to the students to find out [for] administrator, not respect their opinions,” Oxendine themselves.” said.

Alisa Gonzalez, president of the university’s Gonzalez said that voter turnout is important chapter of Students Demand Action, said that turnout because students should be empowering their peers. is low because students may not be aware of when “I think empowerment is the biggest thing, as well elections occur, or they don’t see it as a priority. as having that accurate representation for all students “They kind of get overlooked because [students] because we go to the most diverse [public] campus don’t think that there’s actually going to be an in Florida, and one of the most [diverse colleges] in impact based [on] who’s going to be in office, either the country,” Gonzalez said. “Whoever is sitting in locally or on campus. So I think some people just those seats should be an accurate representation of don’t think that their vote will matter,” Gonzalez that and care about and value those things.” said.

Staziaki sees maximum voter turnout as the best The primary reason for low voter turnout, Wagner choice for SG elections because only students who said, is students’ perception of the positions they’re care about certain issues vote, not the vast majority voting for. of people who are also affected by those decisions.

“For many students, especially new students, “That’s the same thing in a school setting. The they don’t necessarily see the world of Student [maximum] amount of people get their voices heard Government as really important [as] their studies,” [and] the maximum [number] of people will play Wagner said. “So by the time they’re gonna start to a part, even a small one, in the decision-making see that, oftentimes they move on to jobs or their process for the school,” Staziaki said. next career path.”

Because SG ultimately answers to university Gonzalez views the significance of low turnout in officials, Oxendine said students at best have just a the sense that whoever students elect for any position voice at the table. With that influence, he believes in SG is supposed to represent them. student government representatives should focus on “If the people who go to the university are not the issues that affect students every day on campus. voting, then it’s not an accurate representation of “If they address those core needs, then they’re

more relevant,” Oxendine said. “I want them to address things right there in Boca, right on your campus. I want them to address it right there because that’s who they represent. They don’t represent the state of Florida and they don’t represent the United States; they represent your campus.”

To encourage more students to vote, Oxendine said that SG must prove that their platforms are useful.

“What Student Government’s got to do is have an intentionally planned marketing outreach to promote itself as a viable resource and a viable tool and that would help them recruit candidates [who] would help them over time, have more people vote, and ultimately have more influence,” Oxendine said.

Staziaki wants candidates to explain what makes them different from the rest.

“Aside from the people who I know personally or who I’ve heard [are] running, I don’t know about anybody else. And what it turns out to be is usually just like a popularity contest. It’s just who has the most friends who can vote,” Staziaki said. “Instead, you should be talking to the general student body and you should be getting your ideas heard and be expressing [them] outside the context of you and your inner group.”

Gonzalez wants candidates to leave their comfort zone and visit other organizations and events they don’t usually participate in.

“That would give them a lot of ground to work with and also will encourage students to use their voices and tell whoever the candidates are like, ‘this is what we want,’” Gonzalez said. “Not only just asking people what they want, but also following through with the promises of the things that they say they’re going to try and do.”

Gonzalez wants SG to be more collaborative with student organizations. “Also, I’d love to see SG provide more opportunities for students to join them and learn about SG and the different things that go into running,” she said.

Wagner suggested candidates should encourage students to vote by showing how SG affects their everyday lives.

“When students see that Student Government can play an important role in easing some of the problems [or] addressing some of the concerns they have, they’re going to be much more willing to participate,” Wagner said.

Gonzalez does not know if Students Demand Action will endorse a specific candidate, but they will be encouraging voter turnout within the student body. “[Turnout is] something that we value in general [with] voting and empowering students to use their voices, whether that’s for the presidential election or just a smaller position in office, on-campus, off-campus, locally, nationally, whatever that looks like,” Gonzalez said. “Voting is important and your voice is important, so I think that this is a great step for people to learn about the voting process and learn how that stuff works.”

HOW TO VOTE When Tuesday, Feb. 22, from 12:01 a.m to 11:59 p.m.

Where Owl Central How Log in with your FAU email and check the homepage SG representatives will post a sample voting ballot on Feb. 18 at 5 p.m. to Feb. 21 11:59 p.m. on Owl Central, where students will be able to look at how the ballot will appear on Election Day. Contact SGelections@fau.edu with any questions you have about the election.

UNIVERSITY PRESS 17

TO VOTE OR NOT TO VOTE? The UP posted a poll on Instagram asking students whether or not they would be voting in the SG election.

Here’s what they had to say.

“I’m voting in this election because I believe firmly in the democratic process, and believe it is my responsibility as a student to ensure that I actively take part in picking who represents my interests as well as the best interests of the student body on campus. A liberal education is inherently Socratic, and the best way to demonstrate this is the way Student Government operates and represents students on campus.”

Aidan Radcliffe, psychology major

“I will be voting in the upcoming election because I want to take the opportunity I have to vote in someone who will listen to the voices of the students and won’t be afraid to make changes.”

Abbi Irwin, international business and French major

18 UNIVERSITY PRESS

“As a graduating senior I have seen the efforts that SG has put into making FAU a better place for students over the last four years. Therefore, I intend to vote in the election to ensure that the position is filled with a team that is competent and who will work together with the university to advocate for student issues.”

Austin Sanders, history major

“I’m going to be voting in the election so that the student body will be represented by people who truly care about the students and their job in SG.” Katie Kelly, law and society major at the Honors College

“I think it’s important to vote in this school election because it helps me know that I’m working to make the university a better experience for me and other students, and also sets good habits for the voting and election work outside of school. Voting for institutions you’re a part of is important to help change them for the better.”

Bethany Champlin, English and history major

UNIVERSITY PRESS 19

January

mARCH

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FebRUARY 3 8 10 18 22 24

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