The dust has settled and the results are in: Stephon Moore, political science sophomore, is the new Student Body President of IU Southeast.
The SGA presidential election took place during the week of March 11, and Moore received approximately 64 percent of the vote against Jeremy Eiler, marketing and human resources sophomore.
Moore ran with Dejan Tomanic as his vice president, and Eiler ran with Katie Sutton.
The ballots, sent to every IUS student via e-mail, were due the afternoon of March 15. More than 500 votes were cast – an SGA election record.
Moore said he found out the results shortly after voting closed, and is excited about his new position.
“I was ecstatic when I found out the results,” Moore said. “I’m in a position to represent students and have the ear of the administration.”
To celebrate, Moore said he made plans with some close friends. However, he also said that celebration was not really on his mind.
“I’m not celebrating as much as I am planning,” Moore said. “I want to make sure I have my ducks in a row and hit the ground running.”
Currently, Moore said he is compiling a list of potential office holders for his executive cabinet. He is also looking for people fit for the judicial branch.
Drew Appel, political science junior, said that the SGA’s student body president mainly tackles administrative affairs.
“The president meets with the chancellor, presents proposals and meets on committees with the administration,” Appel said. “He or she mostly deals with administrative stuff.”
Moore said the president also serves as a face for the student body.
“The big picture is to represent the students and student government,” Moore said. “The president serves as a spokesperson.”
The student body president can also veto student legislation, and is occasionally asked to speak at events.
“There’s a lot of things that come along with it,” Moore said.
Moore, formerly the SGA’s secretary of internal and external affairs, said he had two reasons for running.
“I really want to help students and help this school become the best it can be,” Moore said. “I feel like I could help the SGA and the students through the SGA.”
In order to get on the presidential ballot, candidates must collect signatures from 3 percent of the student body. After that, it comes down to a vote.
“Once you’re on the ballot, it’s really like any other election,” Moore said. “Whoever gets the most votes wins.”
The candidates were encouraged to get the word out about the election, and the SGA posted fliers for the election around campus. Gus the Grenadier also walked around campus holding up signs encouraging students to vote.
In addition to holding the presidential election, the SGA also elected seven new senators.
Unlike presidential candidates, a candidate running for senator only needs signatures from 1 percent of the student body to make the ballot.
Hannah Smith, chief justice of the SGA, said a senator’s responsibilities are twofold.
“A senator represents the students and provides a channel of communication for them,” Smith said.
The students elected to the senate position were Appel, Batblieg Battogtokh, Isaac Jackson, Angel Russell, Joshua Scantland, Chris Schoettmer and Alex Yson. While students could only vote for one of the two presidential candidates, they were allowed to vote for multiple senator candidates.
By NIC BRITTON
Staff
nmbritto@umail.iu.edu
