There’s one voice in next year’s Student Government Association: “Voice for Progress.” The ticket swept every seat possible in the SGA election on Monday, Feb. 25.
Junior Samantha Howard won the presidency, with 1,500 votes. Jason Potts, the sole candidate of the “Experience the Difference” ticket, earned 474 votes.
“I’m thrilled to get started; however, I would like to see more of a desire for the seats to get filled next year,” Howard said.
In reference to his future involvement with SGA, Potts said, “I am still willing to put in input and help out however I am asked.”
Approximately 2,000 students voted this year, compared to nearly 2,500 in last year’s election.
“Multiple tickets do draw a bigger base,” said SGA Election Commissioner Lucie Swain. “Both [candidates] did a great job campaigning, and it was a great turnout in this uncontested race.”
The presidency ended up being the only contested executive position. Freshman Anuoluwapo “Dami” Daramola, who was running on an independent ticket for administrative vice president, dropped out of the race Sunday evening.
“It was a personal decision,” Daramola said. “Something happened within my family over the weekend, and family comes first. I’d like to thank everyone who supported me throughout the campaign.”
This left freshman Michael Harriss of the “Voice for Progress” ticket to win the position with 1,800 votes.
There were two notable write-in nominees for the commuter senators’ seats. Katie Jonas received 18 votes and Andrew Barr received 16 votes. A minimum of 25 is needed to win the seat.
Students also voted on two referenda.
“The two referenda really brought people to Banner,” said Swain.
Students voted against referendum A with 1,227 “no” votes over 760 “yes” votes. This referendum regarded an increase in the student activity fee with $10 beginning the 2009-2010 school year and a 5 percent annual increase beginning in the fall of 2010.
Students did vote in favor of referendum B, which proposed restricting smoking to campus parking lots and the perimeter. The referendum passed with 1,429 votes in favor and 821 votes against. This will not amend SLU’s current policy; rather, it will serve as a representation of the opinion of the student body.
Howard, who was against both referenda, said that she respects student opinion on referendum B.
“In the meantime, I will work with Andrew Clifton on the issue,” Howard said.
When Howard begins her tenure in fall 2008, one of her first initiatives will be to restructure SGA by spreading power from the president to the rest of the Senate by involving the senators more closely with the administration through regular committee meetings between the two factions.
“No one person can have [his or her] hand dipped in every single thing,” she said. “There’s lots of potential here.”
