Six more students are running for the Student Association Executive Board than last year, creating a more diverse field to pick from at the polls next week.

The number of hopefuls for the SA Presidency alone has jumped to six from two, and includes students who have experience in Binghamton University’s student government, a prerequisite for these elections, as well as students who have made names for themselves in other corners of campus, which could reflect a desire in the community to expand inclusiveness in the SA.

“Almost every candidate is talking about how to reach out more to students, how to communicate with them better,” said current SA President Matt Landau. “The best things about these elections is they’re not filled with the SA insiders like it usually is. It’s filled with just students, filled with community leaders, filled with student leaders who aren’t even part of the SA.”

This year’s election could draw more attention than last year because of a bevy of issues, both ongoing and past, that involved the SA: campus bus service nearly ceased in the fall, budget cuts and tuition increases as mandated by the state are taking shape, and just this week, city of Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan will speak to the community regarding possible changes in residential zoning.

“Maybe the SA’s been more visible, both for positive and negative stories,” Landau said.

Voting will be held on campus from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. on March 18 and 19. Students residing on campus can vote in their community dining hall. Susquehanna, Hillside and off-campus residents can vote in the Food Court in the New University Union.

Look for full coverage of the 2009-10 SA elections, including biographies and endorsements, in upcoming issues of Pipe Dream.