Let the Campaigns Begin

She’s beauty, and she’s grace; she’s the epitome of Auburn University; and she certainly has her work cut out for her.

Miss Auburn is a female student who is nominated, interviewed and elected by her fellow students and faculty. Miss Auburn spends the spring semester of her junior year and the fall semester of her senior year representing and speaking on behalf of Auburn University. Among the five nominees who make it to the week of campaigns, there can only be one Miss Auburn, and the process of being elected to this extremely honorable position is extensive.

The process begins with a nomination from every campus organization. A candidate who is affiliated with each specific organization and whom they feel would be the best representation of Auburn is nominated. After the nominees are put forward, they are interviewed by the director of political affairs, the two directors of elections, and two students nominated by these directors who represent the student body of Auburn. The nominees are narrowed down to a group of 25 young women. Then the remaining 25 undergo a second round of interviews held by the student body present and four respected non-student members of the Auburn community, and in this round of interviews 20 girls are cut.

The remaining five nominees for Miss Auburn then participate in Auburn University’s infamous campaign week. This year’s campaign week kicked off on Sunday, Feb. 14 at 3:30 p.m. and will end on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 9 p.m. Miss Auburn is not the only position that participates in campaigns. Student Government Association positions such as student body president, vice president, secretary and treasurer also participate in campaign week. The week begins with an event in which the candidates officially announce their themes and platforms, and once the revelations have taken place, t-shirts are worn, fliers are hung, billboards are posted, and the fight for the win begins.

There are many elements that make up an effective campaign. Each candidate has a campaign manager who organizes and delegates the process of campaign week, and each candidate has five members known as the top five who handle specific aspects of the campaign and oversee the details of the week. It is crucial for each Miss Auburn candidate to choose her manager and top five wisely because these are the people who work the hardest to make the campaigns possible.

Campaigns however cannot be executed without each candidate and her manager following a very strict code of laws written by the Auburn University Elections Board.

“We have made some changes to the code of laws this year,” said Matt Nelson, director of elections. “For example, we have extended the campaign period, created a preliminary campaign period, and we are setting up polling stations around campus to encourage more people to vote in the election.”

This year the Miss Auburn candidates are Katie Parrish, Alysha Kambeyanda, Kristi MeGahee, Lauren Ketron and Alisha Walker.

To learn more about their platforms and the process of elections visit www.auburn.edu/elections, and don’t forget to vote on Feb. 18 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.