By: Ellisyn Sanders

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – Associated Student Government elections are coming up at the University of Arkansas, giving students the chance to choose leaders who will represent them on campus.

Students will vote for executive offices including president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. They will also elect senators to represent their academic colleges in the legislative branch. ASG represents undergraduate students and helps oversee funding for campus programs and registered student organizations.

Debates for executive candidates are scheduled this week. Secretary and treasurer candidates will debate Wednesday, March 4. President and vice president candidates will debate Thursday, March 5. The debates allow students to hear directly from candidates about their platforms and priorities before casting their votes.

In addition to selecting candidates, students will also have the chance to weigh in on a referendum regarding funding for the athletic department.

The Board of Trustees is asking for $6 million a year to support athletics, a department that has traditionally sustained itself. If implemented, the funding could come from an increase in tuition, a mandatory student athletic fee or funding reallocated from other university departments.

Some students said they value athletics on campus but feel additional funding should not come from everyone’s tuition. They said students who do not participate in or attend games should not be required to pay extra fees.

ASG Sen. Jaxon Hatfield encouraged students to take part in the upcoming vote.

“The biggest thing in this referendum is making sure their voice is heard and making sure they have a decision in it and not just the admin just making decisions without the student body’s opinion,” Hatfield said.

The ASG Senate will use the results of the referendum to help guide its decision-making.

The ASG elections and referendum are scheduled to take place next week. Students will receive voting instructions through their university email and are encouraged to review official university information for details on voting times and how to participate. Both are open to all eligible students.