This beautiful time of year is marred by moans and groans raised by students' frustration at yet another Student Government Association election. The amazing spring weather visiting Knoxville in the past few days brought people out of their winter burrows by the hordes. Guess who is waiting to besiege them with pamphlets and free T-shirts: the SGA candidates.  

In a random selection of students I came across over a two-day period, almost 90 percent of the students questioned about their opinion on the SGA elections gave an overwhelming response of indifference. 

Why are so many students apathetic toward their SGA, whom are supposedly the voice of the students in the dialogue between the university and its students? 

SGA has not helped to foster warm feelings among the student body.  After not holding a meeting in six weeks, the disconnect between the SGA senators from the student body has markedly risen. 

What goes on at SGA meetings? Whispers of the bills proposed or passed leak out into the general campus from time to time, but too much is shrouded in mystery. Let us be honest with ourselves, what does the SGA have power to do? 

One student said, "SGA is wholly incapable of practicing any real power. Realistically, students have absolutely no say in how the HOPE scholarship works, the cost of tuition, parking on campus and about a thousand other things." 

So the next question is: why do the students need SGA at all? 

The current SGA, as with many student governments, acts more as a resume builder than a representative government. Only a few people actually want to and do introduce meaningful bills. The other parties mirror much of national politics dominated by big money and spewing insubstantial rhetoric as opposed to real policy initiatives and concrete projects. Colton Griffin, student candidate for Student for a Just University

SGA may not be able to fix our bigger complaints as students, but the minor goals are often overlooked in a campaign trail of false promises. The naïveté of candidates that proclaim of making changes is a situational comedy. 

SGA candidates should focus on smaller goals, which may not make headline news, but can make a difference. 

Today, as I passed by the SGA tables on the Pedestrian Walkway, I stopped at the Student for a Just University's table. The two young women working the table were informative and nice. Within the 30-second window they had my attention, they pushed the fact that the Focus and Connect candidates had only proposed one bill in comparison to their candidates' 15. 

I asked if any of those bills became effective. "No," said girl one; that was my cue to leave. 

It is not about the number of bills you can think up; it is if you can choose appropriate issues to fight the good fight.

After watching the candidates on Wednesday's televised debates, my opinions have not changed. Student for a Just University candidates were unprofessional and, at times, rude and hostile toward the other candidates.  

Colton Griffin, sophomore in industrial engineering and running for engineering senator in the Student for a Just University party, said, "Some people think that only frat boys with 10K budgets can win these elections, but I know that we have a fighting chance."

Although the presidential and vice presidential candidates for the Student for a Just University's party are a little rough around the edges, their environmental goals are worthy of attention.

Connect is known for its fraternity and sorority affiliations. They declared their support for pizza parties to better ‘connect' with students and administration. At least if you vote for Connect, you'll know you'll be well fed.

Their other major platform is reforming freshmen move-in week. This party seems to lack substance and, though I am a stout of fan of pizza parties (unlike Samuel Mortimer), Connect failed to persuade me that they had genuine platforms of concern. 

Focus's platforms seemed too far fetched for the SGA's ability. They pushed for changing the academic requirements so students who change majors are not penalized. Though Focus was the least objectionable of the three parties, they did not seem to have any unique stances on any issues.

What students can rest assured on is the issue of campus safety. Although the SGA candidates may not be roasting any marshmallows together over a campfire, they do agree that steps need to be taken to better ensure the safety of the students. 

Even after all this dissection of the three parties, to determine the lesser of the evils will be a difficult task for those students who end up voting.