After spending weeks campaigning for the SA secretary position, the final decision will be determined this Tuesday. Either Katherine Sinele or Stefanie Thomas will win the position, after already eliminating the third candidate, Ashley Shrez Odom.
Sinele said she hopes to focus more on the new Campus Outreach Committee. “I feel that it is very important because it allows the SA to get a better idea of what the students are actually wanting,” she said.
Sinele added that she felt it was an important issue for any SA Executive Council to address.
Thomas said she was dedicated to an add/drop policy. “I feel we should have an extended drop period, because we’re not given a long enough period to decide if we want to be in that class or not.”
Sinele agreed, saying that she wants to work to try to extend the drop deadline from the current two-week limit.
Thomas also has ideas for next year’s Bulldog Bash. In addition to expanding the event, she also wants to add diversity.
“We’ve had the mainstream music. Maybe we should add more diverse music,” Thomas said.
Sinele focused more on Bulldog Benefit. She said she would like to increase the event for next year.
“I think we should go out and continue working with schools, but also maybe do more cleanup in the actual city,” Sinele said.
The idea of a freshman experience program appealed to both candidates.
Sinele said the experience would be very important for the incoming freshmen.
“If we can get all freshmen to realize what a wonderful university we’re attending, the traditions we have, and the heritage that they are now a part of, then hopefully they will be as likely to leave,” she added.
She said she would like to see the class become an hour lecture and then lab where the students can go out on campus, and be introduced to different things and to organizations that you can become involved in.
Thomas said she would like to have a freshman experience where MSU traditions as well as life skills be taught.
“I think they should be able to go over a list of all the student organizations that are available to students. Let them know what opportunities there are for them,” Thomas said.
Both candidates also agreed on involving students with the SA next year.
Sinele said the committees should be larger, giving everyone an opportunity to become involved.
Thomas said any student who wants to become part of the SA, there should be a place for them. “If expanding is what we need to do, then that’s what we should do.”