A sophomore became the first candidate to announce his bid for Student Association president this spring, pledging to continue the battle for student space if elected.

SA Sen. Michael Morgan, ESIA, said he will advocate for technology upgrades in conference rooms and classrooms, in addition to battling for Marvin Center and “superdorm” space. It would be the third-straight year with student space topping the organization’s agenda.

“We need to modernize the student space we have, making it better for the students, making it more technologically advanced and somewhere that is really directed at students,” Morgan said.

Morgan said his experience lobbying administrators makes him the best candidate for the student body’s top advocacy seat. He added that he would hold weekly office hours at J Street to hear student concerns.

“We really need to elect an SA president that has the experience and background to represent students, how to work with the University and how to really push for our issues,” Morgan said. “You have to really know how to work the system.”

He also plans to lobby for more security in residence halls, in wake of the assault at the administrative building Rice Hall in December. Morgan, who works for the University Police Department checking student IDs in Thurston Hall, said GW should keep guards in all halls from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

GW’s largest residence halls – including Guthridge and Thurston halls – have guards stationed at entrances from evenings to 3 a.m., unlike other city universities, like New York University, which has 24-hour checkpoints in every building.

Morgan also serves as chair of the Student Dining Board and said working with administrators has prepared him for the top SA post.

“If I did not think I had the leadership experience, if I didn’t think I had the proven results working with the University, if I didn’t think I had the ideas or the know-how, I wouldn’t do it, because that would be an SA presidency wasted,” Morgan said.

Morgan also has ideas that delve into the University’s commitment to becoming more sustainable. He said he has already talked with student leaders from Green GW about bringing solar-powered picnic tables with outlets for laptop and cell phone charging to campus as well as sustainable room upgrades for interested students.

This year’s elections will take place after spring break.