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Show MyWeberMedia.com | March 28, 2019 | 13 By LANDIN GRIFFITH Reporter Weber State University’s Student Association concluded their executive and legislative elections on March 15 after a neckand-neck presidential campaign race that resulted in an 11-vote victory. The election’s voting numbers became the closest in Weber State history with Brett Alexander defeating his opponent, Scott Lund, 747-736, for the WSUSA presidency position for the 2019-2020 academic year. Although less than one-quarter of Weber State’s student body voted in this year’s student election, there was an overall increase in the number of student votes than in previous student elections. The voting numbers sparked a conversation about the way candidates prepared for their campaigns and the initiatives they took to influence students’ decisions to vote. Weber State student Katie Robbins believes the increase in student votes was due to the fact that this year’s candidates were more popular and involved with the student body than in previous years. “Compared to the political elections, the student elections are not as popular,” Robbins said. “Although due to the popularity of this year’s candidates, the students were well aware of the messages the more popular candidates were making.” Alexander expressed his gratitude toward the voting numbers and acknowledged the fact that all of the candidates organized great campaigns and that each one of them was qualified for the position they ran for. “The voting numbers showed how much support each candidate had, through their campaign teams, personable skills, and ideas for the upcoming academic year,” Alexander said. “Students have so much valuable input — for example, where to park — and I’ve categorized my initiatives during my first 100 days as president around their feedback.” Like most Weber State students, Sharon Valverde Var said she first heard about the elections on the day of the candidates’ debate and voting commencement, and was unaware of how her vote in the student election affected her student life on campus. “I don’t think students are aware of the impact that voting in the student elections has on campus,” Valverde Var said. “I wish that there were events where all types of students can learn about the elections and the benefits that WSUSA offers to students.” On March 11, students received an invitation to vote in the election through an email that directed them to a multiple choice-like quiz in Canvas that allowed students to vote between candidates. In addition, the candidates set up booths in the Shepard Union building and met with students to discuss their platforms, followed by their debate at noon, which gave students little time to get to know their candidates. Alexander’s campaign promises marketing strategies to improve relationships and to establish unity and communication between WSUSA and the students. To fulfill those promises, he took the initiative to inform students of the impact that the student election has. SAMANTHA VAN ORMAN | The Signpost “The student elections have a direct impact on students,” Alexander said. “For example, throughout my involvement with the Student Fee and Recommendation Committee, and after allocating $117,000 in student fees, it was eye-opening to me to ask students the question, ‘what are you involved in?’” Alexander believes that by communicating more effectively with students, campus events will have a higher turnout and students will know that they’re getting their bang for their buck. Because Weber State has a large number of students that go directly to work and then home after school, Alexander said the student election begins in the classroom. “It’s our job to reach out to the professors, faculty, and staff, and let them know that the student election is going on and to have them encourage their students to vote and explain the reasons why it directly impacts them,” Alexander said. “Professors should be just as involved in the student election. Our plan is to change that for the upcoming academic year.” The student election is held during the spring semester with each winning candidate assuming their position the following academic year. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com |