Thinking about running?

Over the next few weeks, this blog is going to focus primarily on the race for student body president and vice president. Those two positions are important, yes, but equally important to the student government are the senate positions. Think of it this way: the president and vice president run the student body and the senate runs NISG. While the president and vice president will speak with the Board of Regents, Iowa legislature, and governor on behalf of UNI, the senate will make all the NISG-related decisions. Allocating its $160,000 budget, making improvements on campus, and bringing forward legislation are just some of the things senators do.

Speaking from personal experience, running for and serving in senate can be very rewarding. When I first joined, I was clueless to just how much say the students at UNI have. After a year and half, I'm convinced the NISG senate is the one organization on campus that faculty and administration will listen to. Senate has the ability to bring new ideas, raise concerns, and recognize accomplishments at UNI.

If you're reading this, you obviously care about UNI. Otherwise, you'd ignore all of the discussion and debate over who will be representing you next year. If you care about UNI, then you should care about making UNI better. That's all it takes to run for senate: to have a legitimate passion to make UNI a better place. There isn't a single organization on campus that cares more for UNI than NISG senate, and we'd love to have you join.

For those of you wanting to run, pick up an election packet in the NISG office and turn it in by February 17th. For those of you that are thinking about it, or are still unsure, talk to someone. Visit the NISG website and contact one of the 30-plus senators. Email me at millerco@uni.edu. Go to NISG's elections page. Representing your student body can be very rewarding and I'm so glad that I chose to be a part of it. I hope to see you on the ballot in two weeks.