UT’s College Democrats will be holding the first joint-speaking engagement between the parties for this year’s SGA elections.

The Truth, Volunteer Pride and Volunteer Voice presidential and vice presidential candidates will each present to the UT Democrats in the University Center Hermitage Room tonight at 7.

Zac Wright, UTCD president, said it was important for students to be active in politics regardless of the level.

“(The SGA elections) are an aspect of student politics,” Wright said. “This is an chance for our members to get involved. Students should be politically aware whether it’s the local, state or even federal government.”

Club members will also hear from student representatives for the Board of Trustees. Wright said any candidates were welcome to come and present to the group.

The meeting is the first for the College Democrats since their trip to the National College Democrats Convention in Washington, D.C., Feb. 21 through Feb. 23.

At the conference, the UT delegation received an Outstanding Profile Award from the state federation and passed a statewide resolution in support of affirmative action. The UT chapter previously passed the resolution following President George W. Bush’s statements against admissions policies at the University of Michigan. Copies were sent to Bush and Senate majority leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.

Wright said the passing of the resolution was a huge accomplishment for the chapter.

“It’s nice to have something we created here in each of the College Democrats chapters across the state,” Wright said. “That’s a big step for us.”

The resolution was adopted by Tennessee assembly at the national conference.

Wright said the conference was a success for other reasons.

“We had the opportunity to meet (Sen.) Joe Lieberman and (Sen.) John Edwards, and a number of other highly ranking democratic officials,” Wright said. “It was really a great experience for everyone who went.”