By Sal Siciliano and Nicole Hanson

The fall semester has brought the start of Student Government Association elections. Tonight, the class of 2018 will vote for its president, vice president and eight representatives from a group of 23 candidates.
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In order to be eligible for the election, candidates must gather 266 signatures of fellow classmates, or about 15 percent of the freshmen class. Candidates must also meet a GPA requirement and be in good conduct standing, according to Vice President of Public Relations Carly Hviding.

Students interested in running for a SGA position must attend an information session where they learn about the available positions. In addition, the candidates have no more than a week to campaign between their registration and election day.

Freshman representative candidate Austin Solimine said he does not think one week is enough time to effectively campaign.

“One week is not enough time to hear opinions of students and get your message across as a candidate while attending classes and other extracurricular activities”, Solimine said. “I do not believe we have been on campus long enough to really have an understanding of what needs to be changed or what initiatives need to be taken here at QU.”

Students will be able to vote on Do You QU between midnight and 8 p.m. So far, freshmen have expressed enthusiasm toward the elections and said they will take the time to vote online.

“I believe that part of making my freshman year, along with my peers, one to remember is to have our voices heard by people who will be able to take our suggestions and make them a reality,” freshman Matthew Borker said.

It is important candidates are approachable while campaigning, freshman Daniella Travelli said.

“I will take the time [to vote] because I like to know who will be in charge and making decisions that affect me,” Travelli said. “I like to see strong confident answers and a happy friendly presence.”

Borker emphasized freshman candidates’ objectives should aim to make a difference on campus.

Solimine said his classmates’ reactions toward the election have been generally positive so far.

“When door knocking for signatures, I was able to meet a lot of great people that I would have otherwise never met,” Solimine said.

Whether you’re a voter or a candidate, SGA elections offer students the chance to form a community, Hviding said.

“My advice to the freshmen who are running is to meet as many people as they can, to have fun with campaigning, and to make the most out of this opportunity to serve the student body,” Hviding said.

Candidates for Class President:
-Penelope Fowler
-Chase Chiga
-Sal Nesci, Jr.
-Rachel Rosenblum
-Liam Kenney
-Dora Puglia
-Thomas Moylan
-Matthew Stefano
-Jesse Burns

Candidates for Class Vice President:
-Gina Pallanta
-Hannah Blockis
-Marwan Nemri
-Stephanie Rivera-Owen
-Ryan Lynch

Candidates for Class Representative:
-Acacia Giberson
-Antonio Salume
-Austin Solimine
-Travis Dunham
-Christine Feloney
-Erica Capristo
-Jason Lenihan
-Camilla Abreu
-Michael Alexander