courtesy of connectIn an overwhelming victory, all four members of the Connect slate swept this week’s the Student Union elections. Michelle Miller, Kenneth Edwards, Rob Stolworthy and Justin Huebener all received more than double the votes of their opponents on the Connections slate in the school-wide election for next year’s SU officers.
In the block funding requests, 91.8 percent of students approved an allocation for the Emergency Support Team (EST). The Washington University Debate Team, however, failed with 52.3 percent of the vote. Groups need 66 percent of the vote to receive block funding from SU.
President-elect Michelle Miller won by the largest margin, with 1117 votes to her competitor Russell Duhon’s 222 votes.
“I’m really excited. I’m glad that I get to work with these guys,” said Miller. “We have things that we’ve talked about doing, and now we can just start.”
Both slates promised better communication between SU and students groups if elected. The candidates for treasurer each proposed writing more detailed explanations of budget allocations for student groups.
New Treasurer Rob Stolworthy has already begun planning for next year. He received 907 votes to opponent Christopher Wray’s 408.
“I want to revisit the fundraising grade system for student groups so that smaller groups that don’t have enough manpower aren’t unfairly penalized,” said Stolworthy. “I also want to look into ways to encourage larger groups like Team 31 to fundraise a portion of their budget.”
The newly elected officers will oversee the transition from a unified SU this year to next year’s bicameral legislature, consisting of a separate senate and treasury. SU leaders say this change will streamline the group’s meetings.
Kenneth Edwards beat his opponent for vice president, David Ader, 943 to 368. He said the transition to next year’s leadership will be smooth.
“I’m really excited, it’s been a long, long time that we’ve been planning to do this,” said Edwards. “When you’re planning a campaign, you have to plan it from the perspective that you’re going to win. So we’ve been setting up not a student campaign, but a student government. So it’s great to know that the people I planned that government with will actually be there to put it in place.”
Pamela Bookbinder lost to fellow freshman Justin Huebener for the role of secretary, 415 to 907. Bookbinder said she campaigned to the best of her abilities.
“I was happy with how I campaigned. I got out there and spoke with a lot of people. I think I really expressed myself and told people why I was running, and I think I did the best that I could,” said Bookbinder. “I wish the people who were elected the best of luck.
Jeffrey Lancaster, the Attorney General of SU, totaled the election results. Lancaster cross-referenced the paper ballots with the online votes to prevent students from voting more than once.
According to Lancaster, this year’s election differed from previous years.
“The fact that we were electing a body that didn’t exist yet (was unusual). Now it is in existence,” said Lancaster. “All the changes that were made to the Constitution last year are now in effect.”
In addition, students took advantage of the opportunity to write in candidates for senator.
“There were a lot of write-in spots available. They are, for the most part, full, which is fantastic,” said Lancaster.
As for immediate plans, Miller has one thing on her mind.
“I’m so glad I get to sleep and wash that (Connect) shirt!”