Students can expect election campaigning for first-year senators to begin Monday as the books to file for candidacy closed at 5 p.m. Monday. There are 10 seats available for first-year senators representing NC State’s various colleges.

For most first-year students, this will be the first major interaction they have with Student Government.

Ryan Dunn, a second-year College of Humanities and Social Sciences senator studying political science, explains, for many of the candidates, it will be intimidating for them to campaign this season as first-year students.

“The concept of campaigning to a freshman class of 2000 or 3000 was really daunting, and I was trying to figure out the best way to get my name out there,” Dunn said.

Students can expect to see candidates use various methods to publicize themselves. Candidates may use chalking, flyers, social media, spray-painting in the Free Expression Tunnel or personally meeting students, according to Hampton Clark, a second-year College of Engineering senator studying mechanical engineering.

College of Engineering Sen. Alex Obiol, a second-year studying textile engineering, discussed the importance of name recognition for candidates.

“I think for Senate election for first-years, it [was] primarily about name recognition and a lot of work going out across campus putting my name everywhere, advertising who I was,” Obiol said.

Name recognition is not the only thing that students should be looking for, according to Clark. He stresses the importance of students learning more than just the name of the candidates.

“I think it’s really important that students get to know the candidates so they know who they are voting for, and the students are also taking responsibility for this community by who they’re electing,” Clark said.

Students should look for candidates who are willing to listen to students, are passionate about Student Government and are confident in their beliefs and ideas, according to former Sen. Jayna Lennon, a second-year studying political science and economics.

Dunn discusses how first-year students should not be afraid to interact with candidates and encourages first-year students to ask candidates about what they stand for.

“Ask them [first-year candidates] what they are running for, why are they running,” Dunn said.

First-year students will be able to vote online at 8 p.m. on Sept. 11, and voting will end at 8 p.m. on Sept. 12. Students will be able to log in with their Unity ID. The Board of Elections will post candidates online within the week, so students can learn more about the candidates.

Candidates, if elected, will immediately become senators by being sworn in at the Senate meeting following the end of the election. First-year Senators are able to write, sponsor and vote on legislation in Student Senate. They also participate in discussion on proposed legislation.

Many members of Student Senate are excited to see the first-year senator elections underway. According to Clark, it is important to have “fresh faces” and “new ideas” in the Student Senate.

“I encourage all the first-years to get out and get to know the candidates and vote,” Dunn said.

The Board of Elections is willing to answer any questions about the voting at sgelections@ncsu.edu.