Abigail Dunagan, Campus Carrier features editor

Cammie Wilks, Campus Carrier asst. features editor

The semester is now well underway, with classes entering their first round of exams and papers. As new students grow more accustomed to life at Berry, many are beginning to branch out through different college activities.  While some chose to get involved in intramural sports or clubs, one group has chosen to spend their time campaigning for positions on the Student Government Association (SGA). Hopeful freshmen have begun campaigning by advertising through posters and social media, with the goal of being elected as representative of their class. 23 candidates are running for the four officer positions available: president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. The pressure is on as these freshmen work individually to inspire their class to cast their vote this week. 

SGA is made up of student leaders who work to serve the student body of Berry. They provide funds for student-organizations, sponsor special events and resources to improve campus. The officers on staff have a direct impact on Berry and the students that attend. In the past SGA has arranged many annual events. They work to organize the Berry Bellhops who help new students move into their dorms at the beginning of the year, and they assist with Food for Finals. In addition to hosting campus events, they also aid with volunteer work and blood drives. The SGA committee holds meetings every two weeks to discuss ongoing campus improvements. 

Senior Alexis Mitchell has served as her class’s SGA president since her freshmen year. Prior to coming to Berry, Mitchell assisted with social media at her high school. Although she was interested in running for student body president, she decided to wait until college to get more involved. She ran for the freshmen class president at Berry when her friend nominated her, and she really enjoyed the friendly competition among her peers during the election weeks. She has kept her position as president for the class of 2025 during all of her years at Berry. 

“In SGA, you are highly involved on campus,” Mitchell said. “You have to meet with so many different student organizations. You are meeting with you peers and classmates, and you are building deeper connections.” 

Although working as an SGA officer comes with many connections, Mitchell said that it can be difficult to find common ground with all students during meetings. Officers and students will often bring different ideas and goals to the meetings, so it can be challenging to work with everyone to find a common solution. 

“I think learning how to communicate better and learning how to understand other people and their perspectives,” Mitchell said. “That’s the biggest takeaway I have from SGA. Knowing that everyone comes from different backgrounds and different beliefs.”

Freshmen Hope Hill is currently running for vice president for the class of 2028, and she was motivated to get involved in SGA because of her experiences in high school. Hill said that she attended a small private school, and she felt that the student body didn’t have a voice. 

“It was almost like the students could voice their opinion, but it was never fully heard, and the faculty always got to make the final decisions,” Hill said. “I just saw other ways I could use my time better to impact those around me.” 

Hill decided to run for Vice President after being nominated, despite her high school experience. Although campaigning can be a stressful task, Hill is taking on the challenge, spreading awareness by advertising on social media and hanging posters. The best part of campaigning, in Hill’s opinion, is meeting the other people running against her, befriending others and creating a community despite the election being a competition. 

“My favorite part this far has been getting to know the other people running against me,” Hill said. “All of them are so sweet and I think it’s really cool that we all converse with each other and talk about how proud we are of each other. We can relate in the fact that it’s brave to have your face on posters.”

 Freshman Brandon Evans was an SGA officer in high school before coming to Berry. Evans didn’t plan on participating in SGA during college, but he was convinced by a friend who was also planning on running for a position. Evans sat in on an SGA meeting for the first time and watched how the organization is run. After attending that meeting, his interest in campaigning was ignited.

 “I went to the first meeting and saw how involved everybody was and how they got to make changes in the community,” Evans said. “I liked being a part of  that change.”

To cast a vote, open Viking Web and search SGA voting. It’s important for everyone to express their right to vote and support the candidate that is the best option for Berry.

“I think it’s important to vote so you feel represented and heard,” Mitchell said. “When you’re voting, you’re putting your ideologies on the line. You’re putting yourself on the line to see who can represent you the best and meet you where you are.”