FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SGA Elections Commission announces changes to the 2020 SGA Elections in midst of COVID-19
WICHITA, KANSAS (March 23, 2020)- Due to circumstances regarding COVID-19, Wichita State University has made the difficult decision to continue online and/or remote instruction through the end of the semester, and not resuming in-person classes. Wichita State University is focused on restricting on-campus visitations and limited operations to promote social distancing practices. Keeping our students, faculty and staff safe remains our top priority.
In light of this decision, the SGA Elections Commission is announcing the suspension of the 2020 General Election which was regularly scheduled for April 6th - 8th. This suspension will include a cancellation of the Senatorial Town Hall that was set for March 30th and the Presidential and Vice Presidential Debate that was set for April 2nd.
To accommodate this and to ensure an equitable election for all candidates and members of the Association, the Commission is announcing that the 2020 SGA General Election will be moved to April 13th - 15th. The 2020 Presidential and Vice Presidential Debate co-sponsored by The Sunflower will be moved to April 9th at 6:00 p.m. with an audience-free format. We will be live streaming the Debate so that members of the audience can tune in to learn about the candidates prior to voting. More information regarding this will be released soon.
As Wichita State University continues to assess the situation, the Commission may alter this timeline to accommodate any potential changes. The Elections Commission will continue to ensure we are living up to our duty: to ensure that we are promoting the elections, informing the student body about the elections, providing the candidates with information, allowing candidates an opportunity to promote themselves, or otherwise contributing to a fair, efficient, and publicized election.
The Commission will work throughout this time to ensure that we have plans in place to ensure that the Association continues to endure and that the newly elected officials can take the baton and continue to serve the student body. As it was true in 1912, “The Council should stand for loyalty and justice at Fairmount. May it lead in every worthy enterprise, supporting those things that make for the upbuilding of our school and working successfully against harmful tendencies. Long may it live, and much may be accomplished,” stays true today in 2020.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Gabriel Fonseca, SGA Advisor via email at gabriel.fonseca@wichita.edu