James Bonsall, business management sophomore, and Amanda Denbo, business marketing junior, have won the offices of Student Government Association president and vice president, respectively.
This year’s election saw a record number of votes with 414, which is a 36 percent increase from last elections number. However it was just nine votes that elected Bonsall and Denbo as the new SGA president and vice president. Josh Sesar, mathematics sophomore, and Spenser Castile, mathematics sophomore, were disappointed with the vote and said they may try to contest the count.
“At this point I don’t know.” Sesar said, “I may just be a senator or try for the judicial branch.”
Sesar and Castile have seven days to present a written request to Jeff Martin, chief justice, if they choose to contest the count, at which time a recount process will take place and students may be asked to revote.
New officers and new senators will be sworn in on April 2.
Voting for next year’s election will happen in two parts with the passing of Beverly Raley’s Senate Term Constitutional Amendment Bill. The presidential elections will take place the week before Spring Break and the senate elections will be held two weeks after Spring Break. The bill received 222 votes out of the 394 votes that were cast.
In the meeting on March 19, there were many goodbyes and wishes of good luck for the elections. Flo Gonya, SGA present president, said she was proud of all the senators and the progress they have made this year.
“Thank you for your hard work,” Gonya said, “but I’m looking forward to pointing to a male figure and saying “right over there”.”
Gonya, who graduates in May, was elected to be a senator in the fall when she returns to attend more classes to further her education.
Some present SGA members won’t be returning in the fall. Amber Townsend, SGA senate pro tempore, will be transferring to Bloomington. And Matt Murry said he will not have time to participate in the SGA in the fall.
“I’ve enjoyed my time with the SGA.” Murry said, “And when we’re all 21 I’ll buy you a beer.”
Richard Young, policy and procedure chair, reminded everyone if they wanted to be an officer, they need to throw their hat into the ring by letting everyone in SGA know they want to hold a certain office.
“The magic happens before the meeting.” Young said, “The meeting is only the stage, let people know you want the position and work for it.”
James Bonsall, SGA treasurer, said the 2009-2010 budget had been turned in to Student Life. Bonsall said he would help train whoever was treasurer next year, and Student Life recommended the SGA think about the long term effects of budget cuts. The SGA removed the landline phone in the SGA president’s office last year, but voted to have it reinstalled for next year.
“Think about the long term effects,” Bonsall said, “and plan for the future.”
Ben Taylor, SGA senator, said he would like to see all SGA members’ information displayed where students could have contact information about them.
Taylor’s idea is to display pictures with a short biography and a number where the member can be reached on the window of the SGA office.
“If you don’t contact me to state any different,” Taylor said “I will start getting your picture and information to hang up after spring break.”
Seuth Chaleunphonh, dean of Student Life and SGA adviser, said Greg Roberts, academic adviser and SGA adviser, SGA advisory term will be ending this semester and it would be nice to remember him.
By LORI RICHIE
Staff writer
larichie@ius.edu
