Student Senate Election Results 2011

Plymouth State University student body, drum roll please...the Student Senate election results are in! Upon the beginning of every school year, open positions for class officers and the Student Senate need to be filled as soon as possible. This year was no different as student campaigns for these positions have been well underway since the second week of classes.

In regards to campaign strategies this year, just as social media has taken over the mainstream it seems that it too has become the most efficient way for students to exchange important campaign information. For example, Facebook was the social media site of choice for this year's first-year class president hopeful Alex Herbst, who stated, "Facebook is the easiest way for me to get the word out to as many people as possible." Posters were set up around the school and residence halls, even business cards were made!

The campaigner's packets outlining each position and their responsibilities were turned in by 5:00 pm on Thurs., Sept. 23, and between that date and Tues., Sept. 27 (Election Day), the only thing these candidates could do was hope that their advertising and campaign promises were enough to win over their fellow classmates. Students voted digitally using Survey Monkey for their favorite candidate in the HUB across from the information booth on Tuesday, and here are your results:

CJ Souza (First Year Class Representative, First Year Vice President)

Alex Palermo (First Year Class President, Blair Hall Rep)

Alex Herbst (Grafton Rep)

Adam Nassaf (Sophomore Class Rep)

Rich Duffy (Junior Class Rep)

Colin Murphy (Junior Class Rep)

Ryan Bernier (Off Campus Rep)

Jessica Cain (Student Body Vice President)

Nick Casali (USNH Trustee)

As reported by Student Body President Lexi Casale, out of a student body of 4,200, only 286 students voted. This being said, there are still open positions in Student Government and candidates also have the option to run for a different position if they wish to do so. Election packets are available at the Info Booth in the HUB and can be turned in to Casale and run before the Senate.

In response to the election results and voting participation statistics, Casale states, "It is my hope that Student Government will increase in size and support from the Student Body throughout the school year. I can only hope that the Student Body will understand the effect and importance of voter participation and that the current Senate will do the best possible job they can."

 On a note regarding voting platforms, although, as mentioned last week, election by email is still a work in progress. Come spring elections, it is the hope of many that voting via Survey Monkey will be available in a simple link emailed to the student body. This will make the voting process more easily accessible, but also poses the problem of having students vote more than once, so look out for this in the near future. Show your support during the next election because Student Government is an essential part of a functioning campus, and hopefully next time around, with the use of voting via email, there will be a larger turn-out in student participation.