And the SGA campaigns begin...

The time has come for posters to be hung, sidewalks to be chalked and fliers to be handed out. It's time for the student government elections.The candidates were officially announced yesterday.

Several students are running for student activities council positions, student senate positions and extended campus council positions.

And some are in the running for executive positions: residence life council vice president, SAC vice president, and student body president and executive vice president.

Brandon Burtner is running for RLC vice president.

The RLC vice president's responsibilities include presiding over RLC meetings, appointing positions within the RLC, serving as the RLC representative to all university administration and those living on campus, according to the SGA constitution.

Alison King is campaigning for SAC vice president.

The SAC vice president presides over SAC meetings, prepares an annual budget that is approved by SAC, and appoints committee members, among other duties.

And the student body president and executive vice president runners are David Fifer and Lindsey Cross, and Elizabeth Burke and Dajuane Harris.

The executive vice president has several jobs including presiding over the student senate. He or she oversees the forming of student senate committees and appointing chairpersons for each committee.

And the vice president takes over the presidency if the president is vacant.

And then there's the student body president.

The president has executive authority over the student government association. Some of his or her duties are signing or vetoing acts of the senate, SAC and RLC; appointing several association positions that include chief of staff, treasurer and secretary; representing SGA at all functions where SGA needs to be officially represented; and serving on executive boards that include the board of regents and the advisory board.

Each executive officer must be in the office a minimum of 10 hours a week.

Candidates were officially allowed to campaign Tuesday.

Students running for student body president and vice president can spend up to $800 on their campaign and those running for RLC and SAC vice president can spend $400. Other branch candidates have a limit of $100 to spend on their campaign.

And students are not wasting time.

Facebook propaganda for some candidates began popping up Tuesday night.

Still, there are some limitations to the candidates' campaign. For example, candidates cannot actively campaign in the main floor of Powell or in the SGA office. They cannot campaign near the computer labs on election day.

But, for some candidates, Facebook and posters will not be the only opportunities to share their views.

The executive candidates' debate will be held Tuesday at 8 p.m. in Walnut Hall of the Keen Johnson Building. During the debate, the candidates will answer questions, and they will have 30 seconds to make a rebuttal against their opponents' statements.

Election day is scheduled for April 17 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Students can vote on the EKU Web site.