Election time is nearly upon USI. Student government positions are up for bid and students seeking to run for office should prepare now. Students must be willing to dedicate a significant amount of time to the election.

Emily Severeid, SGA chief justice and election committee member, said potential candidates should start a foundation by talking to students, creating Facebook groups, attending candidate meetings that instruct on how to campaign and “getting their name out there.”

“A lot of it this is going to be done on their own time,” Severeid said. “They’ll need to be able to stay on top of it.”

Step one is to pick up an SGA vacancy application. Applications can be found either on the SGA web page or the Dean of Student’s Office, the SGA office, any of the college departments, academic skills, the community center and the first floor of the residence halls.

It is important that all paperwork be completed with accuracy and turned in on time for review, but even more important that candidates begin gathering student signatures, Severeid said.

“Talk to students,” Severeid said. “Tell them why they are running for this position, what they hope to accomplish and why students should vote for them.”

One-hundred and twenty-five signatures are required for a representative or member-at-large position, 150 for administrative vice president, 175 each for attorney general and executive vice president and 200 for president.

Step two is campaigning. Besides the afore mentioned methods, Severeid said candidates can speak to campus organizations, start feedback forums on social networking sites and take advantage of SGA campaigning services who make buttons, posters and T-shirts.

Research and Development AVP Nick Mathis said reaching out and communicating with students is one of the harder aspects of campaigning.

“It takes a little bit of effort to go around and meet with all the students and hear their concerns and find a way to work that into your campaign,” Mathis said. “You just have to get out there and do it.”

Receiving feedback from students was a positive aspect, Mathis said.

“You get to hear what people want changed,” Mathis said. “You see where the university stands to grow and it inspires you to try and make it happen.”

The nerves of a candidate should be solid. Freshman engineering major Ryan Johnson said he is considering running for office.

“I’ve been thinking it could be hard but worth it,” Johnson said. “I’m kind of shy so the whole thought of walking up to random students has got me thinking.”

He said he would probably run for a representative position, opting to start off in a lower position to get a feel for SGA and then running for higher office.

Even with the dedicated time and potential stress of running for office, Mathis said it is definitely worth it.

“You really understand the university better,” Mathis said. “You get a different perspective, you see things from the view of a student and as an administrator, and you can join the two perspectives.”

Students wishing to become more involved in USI should consider running for office. Severeid said self-driven, active students will find what they are looking for in SGA.

“Those who are resolved to make changes around campus and take on a leadership role are more than welcome in SGA,” Severeid said.

Applications for office are due at 4:30 p.m. Friday at the SGA office or in the Dean of Student’s Office.