As the student government election season kicks off, freshman candidates are as eager as ever to enact change.
This fall, the Nominations and Elections Committee has counted a total of 55 freshmen running for either the Class Boards or the Undergraduate Assembly. 15 of the 55 are running for both branches.
This number is up from last fall, when a total of 50 candidates ran, but down from two years ago, when 61 freshmen ran.
However, the number of people running for both branches of student government is up by three from last year and seven from two years ago.
There are eight available seats for freshmen on the UA, and 10 available seats on the Freshman Class Board .
“A lot of the individuals seem really excited with both the positions,” said Wharton senior Patricia Liu, the NEC’s vice chairwoman for elections.
The NEC is very satisfied with the candidate turnout, Liu added. Penn Student Government put a great effort into publicity — through events like the PSG information session — and into educating freshmen about the positions.
“From what I can see, it looks like a good group of freshmen, a good group of diverse and motivated freshmen,” Liu said. “I’m looking forward to the election season.”
A midnight breakfast will be held in Houston Hall on Sunday Oct. 4 . Lui said the event will give candidates a good opportunity to campaign and meet with voters.
She added that the event gives candidates a chance to meet each other, as well as voters the opportunity to meet their future PSG leaders.
