Flowers wins SGA election despite issues

Only two weeks remain for current Student Government President Michael Scott, Jr. to pack-up his office filled with memories of his terms at Indiana State University and have things prepared for the new president-elect Steven Flowers to take office April 1.

Steven Flowers, a sophomore political science major, and Jaden Brown, a junior physical education major, won president and vice president of SGA after election results were put on hold due to accusations of campaign violations by both candidates and their running mates. 

Scott, a senior social studies education and political science major, said the election process went according to the guidelines.

 “It, as always, was a fair process,” he said.  “[The hearing] was the first-time I have ever witnessed one.”

Flowers and Brown were accused of soliciting votes in front of the fountain, voter intimidation, posting flyers at the Arena on the glass entry doors and chalking in restricted areas.

Their opponents, Alex Burton, a junior communication major, and Kaleigh Branson, a sophomore accounting major, were accused of posting flyers at the Arena on the glass entry doors and chalking in restricted areas.

Each candidate was allowed to give their defense to their accusations. After the prosecution, the accused party was allowed to give their defense and reasoning as to why they were wrongfully accused.

After the hearing, Burton said he still has a passion for his fellow students, regardless of whether the SGA commission chose his side.

“Learn, live,” Burton said. “Life goes on.”

Burton said he plans on focusing on post graduation and to be active in other organizations which he is a member. Burton is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Student African American Brotherhood and the National Pan Hellenic Council.

“I feel like I should stay part of SGA,” he said. “I have been a part of it since my freshman year.”

One of Scott’s last tasks is to get the Student Supreme Court set-up and running. 

“We are going to begin a transition to make sure Steven and Jaden are ready,” Scott said. “I do want to get the court started before I leave.”

He said the court will have seven students on the panel, but he plans to have four to five students on the court before his term is completed.

“Applications have already been submitted and are being reviewed,” he said.
Flowers said he is eager to begin his role as SGA president.

He said he spent his Spring break on Alternative Spring Break in Memphis, Tenn, speaking with students and volunteering.

“It was a diverse group of students,” he said. He used the students for a focus group to determine the common needs and concerns of other students.

His first task is to create a comprehensive study over all aspects of SGA to determine the organization’s efficiency.

“I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work,” he said.