Fall 2023 SGA Special Election Announcement

TUSCALOOSA — Aug. 21, 2023

A Fall 2023 SGA Special Election is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. A runoff election (if necessary) is planned for Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. Voting will be open on myBama from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. CST on the day of the scheduled election. Additional information regarding the election timeline will be shared on SGA Elections by Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023.

Available positions on the ballot include one Senate seat for the Graduate School. The Candidate Filing Period is Aug. 28 – Sept. 1, 2023, and any eligible student wishing to run for elected office must submit an online Application & Statement of Candidacy declaring intent to seek office by 11:59 p.m. CST on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023.

Candidates interested in running for an open position must attend one of the mandatory candidate
informational meetings. These sessions will be held virtually each day of Aug. 28 – 30, 2023,
from 6:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. via the following Zoom link. In addition to detailing the role and responsibilities of the available senate position, the informational session will cover the elections timeline, candidacy requirements, and campaign regulations.
Please contact the Student Elections Board, at sgaelections@ua.edu for inquiries regarding the Fall 2023 SGA Special Election.

PDF Fall 2023 SGA Special Election Announcement
PDF Fall 2023 SGA Special Election Timeline

Spring 2023 SGA General Election Announcement

The Spring 2023 SGA General Election is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. Available positions on the ballot include the Executive Council and Senators for each respective degree-awarding college. Voting will be open on myBama from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. CST on the day of the scheduled election (Feb. 28). Additional information regarding the election timeline will be shared on SGA Elections.

The available Executive Council positions include President, Executive Vice President, Vice President for Student Affairs, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Financial Affairs, Vice President for External Affairs, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Executive Secretary. The apportionment of seats for the 28th Senate approved by the Student Government Association is as follows:

  • Capstone College of Nursing – 2 seats
  • College of Arts & Sciences – 10 seats
  • College of Communication & Information Sciences – 3 seats
  • College of Education – 3 seats
  • College of Engineering – 6 seats
  • College of Human Environmental Sciences – 3 seats
  • Culverhouse College of Business – 12 seats
  • Graduate School – 7 seats
  • School of Law – 2 seats
  • School of Social Work – 2 seats

Students interested in running for an elected SGA position should be aware that the Candidacy Filing Period is set for Feb. 6-10, 2023, and the Candidacy Filing Deadline is 11:59 p.m. CST on Feb. 10, 2023. Further, candidates and their campaign managers must attend one of the Mandatory Candidate Interest Meetings to be held virtually Jan. 30 – Feb. 2, 2023, at 6:15 p.m. CST via Zoom. The sessions will cover the election timeline, candidacy requirements, and campaign regulations as well as the roles and responsibilities of each electable position. Additionally, the information sessions will explain the application process for the Student Judiciary and include an overview of the entire SGA organization. For more information, including Zoom links for the Candidate Interest Meetings, please visit SGA Elections.

Please contact Ansley Stamper, Chair of the Student Elections Board, at sgaelections@ua.edu for
inquiries regarding the Spring 2023 SGA General Election.

Statement from the President

Over the past few weeks, we have witnessed the horrifying killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna
Taylor, and George Floyd. Each of these stories has forced us to confront centuries of social
injustices that have plagued our nation. As President of the Student Government Association, it
is my duty to serve as an advocate for all voices at the University, especially when many
students are hurting and longing for answers. Today I am speaking to offer encouragement and
to address the roles we all must play in order to move forward.

To the students of The University of Alabama, I ask for you to do one thing: listen. Listen to
understand; Listen to have educated conversations; Listen to make our community and world
more inclusive for all. This is not the time to point fingers, but a time to wrap our arms around
each other and begin to develop plans to ensure that our campus and communities are
inclusive, equal, and fair for all.

We must, as a community, use our voices to stand with and become allies with those who have
been historically marginalized. Continue to advocate for fair and equal treatment of all citizens
and members of our community. Let’s use every medium available to advocate for justice,
whether that is having important conversations with your friends and family, posting on your
social media, or speaking out every single time you see an injustice happening right in front of
you. I ask that you utilize the gift of empathy. Put yourself in your fellow classmates’, sorority
sisters’, or fraternity brothers’ shoes, and understand that the world is not the same for all of us.

Speaking as a black man in America, I understand what it feels like to endure the hardships,
struggles, and injustices that frequently impact people of color. I know the pain you feel. I have
had to wipe away tears, listen to music, and pray. I ask that you stand strong, be courageous,
and continue to fight for what is right. I understand we have had some weary days and still have
some hills to climb. As we advocate for equity and equality, let us remember to do it in such a
way that will keep us safe and ensure our voices are heard. I ask that you all engage in dialogue
with those around you who struggle to understand the injustices that minorities experience by
creating positive, open spaces where genuine, productive conversations can occur.

To all incoming students, I want you to know that we at The University of Alabama strive every
day to make sure that this campus is inclusive for all. We have fallen short at times, but in those
moments, we have learned and pressed forward, determined not to repeat history. I want you to
know that I will continue to fight every day to ensure that your experience and environment is
safe and transformative. I want you to know that The University of Alabama community is one
big family — a family that I am proud to say I belong to. I ask that you come to this campus with
an open mind and an open heart. You may want to believe that you do not see color, but you
do. We all do. Over the next several years, you will have the opportunity to engage in many
meaningful experiences, and they will be made even more meaningful if you open your heart to
those around you. Look for experiences that intentionally expose you to people and ideas
different from yourself.

Finally, I ask that we come together as one and continue to positively change the world. Change
is not easy; it will take time. I ask that each of you be willing to be an active part of this change,
to work every day to make our campus a more inclusive and understanding environment. I am
here to serve each and every student at The University of Alabama, and I will. I ask that you
serve your fellow classmates with respect, kindness, and love. This is OUR campus, OUR city,
and OUR world. We have the chance to make it better, let’s not miss the opportunity.

Best and Roll Tide,

Demarcus Joiner
109th SGA President

President’s Statement (PDF)