By Alliyah Bidwell, Senior Reporter

The Northwestern Student Government Association will host its annual Meet the Candidates night Thursday.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to get to know the candidates running for various student government offices. The event will be in the Student Center Ranger Room from 7 to 8 p.m.

“Meet the Candidate night is a great night for our student body to attend,” said Olivia Yandel, the student government advisor. “Just like with any election, even the presidential election of the United States, it is very important to know who the candidates are and what they stand for. This night gives the students that opportunity before they vote.”

The Student Government Association began hosting the event in 2021. Prior to that, students had little ability to get to know candidates personally.

The event will be an open forum. Erika Hernandez, the current SGA president, will serve as the moderator of the event. Candidates will tell the audience about themselves, and the audience will be allowed to ask questions.

The Student Government Association serves as a liaison between the student body and the university’s administration, and it coordinates campus events, Yandel said. The organization plays a vital role on campus, and the outcome of it is important.

Yandel encouraged students to attend and get informed.

“This event matters because it allows the students to educate themselves about the candidates,” Yandel said. “If a student just votes for whoever, that could be detrimental to the university because, if a student doesn’t have good values or ethics, that could reflect badly on the university and for the student body.”