Students of the University, we have an important issue at hand. As you might have noticed through the flashes of yellow and blue around campus, it is election time – meaning big signs, too many handouts and bothersome Facebook messages.

It also means providing all students with the opportunity to affect the best interest of the student body. We, Tyler Biringer (New Deal Franklin Senate candidate) and Carey Miller (Remix Party Franklin Senate candidate), have come to you asking that you reflect on what Student Government Association has done in this past administration and realize the importance of what is yet to come.

This past year, SGA has taken both a proactive stance through initiatives such as extending the withdrawal deadline, making studio art classes available for all majors and creating the Overnight Bus Route and extending the Milledge bus hours with Campus Transit.

As a responsive body this past year, SGA saved the Spanish Minor, stopped the “3-Day Report Yourself Policy” and modified the football ticketing system to make ticket distribution more equitable.

Though we are running on separate tickets and against each other in Franklin College, we know and understand the overall goal of SGA is to be a larger voice for the students in order to influence administrative decisions, regardless of who enters office.

In all likelihood, you have a friend in or connection to The Remix Party or The New Deal who you would like to support. These people are a key factor in the elections process; however, being a critical constituent and exercising your voting right is just as, if not more, important.

Senate candidates in both The New Deal and The Remix Party all hold the same long term goal: to improve the academic, social and cultural standing of the University that we will one day call our alma mater. So, the next time you make the time consuming decision to walk through Tate Plaza, don’t just promise your vote to the nicest group, the group that you are most connected to, or the one that looks the most professional. Conversely, look for passion, dedication, message and loyalty to the students and the University.

Those who are true leaders will go to extraordinary lengths to do what is best for everyone. Find the person you would follow into battle and stick by their side.

You have the responsibility and the privilege, along with future and past students, to make this great University even better. Help us shape SGA into what you, our fellow students, deserve. Vote in the current election.

We are all in this together, and ultimately SGA is intended to represent all students, so vote and let your opinion be accounted for. After all, it is your University and your SGA!

- Tyler Biringer is a freshman from Roswell and a New Deal Franklin Senate candidate. Carey Miller is a freshman from Gainesville and a Remix Party Franklin Senate candidate.