Reaching out to freshmen
Reporting about the SGA, not a record of it: The Johns Hopkins News-Letter published this and the SGA did not write it, file it, or approve it. The archive holds it because the article itself uses the phrases “student government” and “student council”.
Summary
- This Johns Hopkins News-Letter article covers low freshman participation in Student Council elections and proposals for reaching more students.
- The News-Letter reported that less than 50 percent of freshmen voted in the class president election, despite candidates’ efforts to reach students.
- The paper said candidates used websites, direct emails and online videos, but argued that many students still do not understand what the Council does.
- The article adds that Council members should contact student groups, residential advisers and large lecture classes to make elections more personal and accessible.
- The reporter writes that the Council expanded the number of candidates, but says poorly advertised forums and unread emails may have made it harder for students to distinguish among them.
- The article recommends candidate forums in dining halls and dorms, including mandatory hall meetings and larger forums with questions from undecided voters.