A video about oppression within UF’s Student Government reached more than 29,000 views as of press time on Facebook after being posted at 9:08 p.m. Sunday.
The video has received more views than the number of students who voted in the Spring 2015 SG election. According to Alligator archives, 12,742 students voted that semester.
The video was posted on a Facebook page called “Not My System,” an alliance of students seeking to end oppression in SG, according to the page. In the video, Sabrina Philipp, a former Swamp District A senator, talks about her role in SG and how she received privileges because she was in a sorority.
The video comes two days before students will vote for 50 senators elected by college and credit hours. A new Student Body president, Student Body vice president and Student Body treasurer will also be elected Wednesday. Students will also vote on an amendment to allow for online voting, so students don’t have to vote in person.
Philipp said she wants to end “the System,” an institutionalized practice in SG in which students with Greek affiliations receive preference for positions and votes are coerced, she said. One of her goals in creating the video is to emphasize the importance of online voting. She said online voting is critical to defeating the system.
Philipp said in the video she helped found Impact Party.
Blake Murphy, the campaign manager for Impact, said Philipp wasn’t a founder.
“I’m pretty disappointed,” he said. “Sabrina Philipp is not someone who has ever been affiliated with the Impact Party.”
Praveen Varanasi, the Access Party president, said the video can help students learn about the inner workings of SG.
“It helps people understand what we’re fighting for,” Varanasi said. “This sort of system is exactly what we’re trying to defeat.”
Philipp said she’s received a few personal attacks, but the majority of response has been positive. She said the video’s aim is to remain non-partisan and to inform students about SG.
“Before I leave UF, I want to share my story and try to make a difference and empower the students at UF,” she said. “I feel empowered by the support that I’ve received from others.”
Contact Melissa Gomez at mgomez@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter @MelissaGomez004.
