Nearly 1000 students cast their vote in the Student Association elections this week, deciding the next wave of representatives for Plattsburgh State’s SA.
Four positions were decided by the election, the President, the Vice President of Academics, the Vice President of Finance and the Vice President of Clubs and Organizations. Each Senator ran uncontested as well as the Executive Vice President, the Vice President of Student Affairs and Diversity, the Vice President of Arts and the Vice President of Student Activities.
The newly elected administration will take office Jan. 1. In the meantime, the current representatives will continue to serve the students of SUNY Plattsburgh.
The results of the Presidential election saw Vrinda Kumar winning the popular vote with 474 total votes, consisting of 48 percent of the electorate, following her was Danial Khoshkehpazi winning 251 total votes, the incumbent president Michael Kimmer winning 159 total votes, and Emmanual Rodriguez winning 89 total votes. Vrinda Kumar currently serves as the Vice President of Academics.
“I’m very proud to have had the pleasure of serving as a representative of our student body,” Kimmer said following election results. “Each of the candidates who ran during this race would undoubtedly serve as representatives of our student body to the absolute best of their abilities. I want to congratulate Vrinda for her victory and wish her the best of luck in the future.”
The next generation of Senators representing SUNY Plattsburgh are: Joseph Lewis, Zyaijah Nadler, Ibrahima Diallo, Mackenzie Berry, Vasu Govani, Kristin Berkey, Leo Lee, Paola Bautista, Michael Katcher, Hanna Assefa, Smit Pujara, Timothy Miller, Danish Rai, Matthew Ferrara, and Utkrista Pandey.
The next Vice President of Clubs and Organizations is Mackenzie Dumas, who won a total of 624 votes, with her fellow candidate winning 289.
The election for Vice President of Academics found current Senator Amber Cruz winning her seat by acquiring 765 total votes, with her fellow candidate winning 97 total votes.
In a similar manner current Senator Julia Verdon won her seat as Vice President of Finance with 751 total votes, with her fellow candidate winning 86 total votes.
“Thank you to every student who voted for me, I campaigned really hard. This is something I really want, something I really care about and I want every student to benefit from what the Student Association has to offer,” Verdon said after her victory.
Regarding her goals for the upcoming semester Senator Verdon listed the following: “Expanding the diversity grant, bring back the collaboration grant and fully maximize the 1.2 million dollar budget. There are some clubs that don’t have a budget at all, I’d like to further reach out to them and show them what the Student Association has to offer.”
Current Vice President of Finance Ryan Ferguson expressed his pleasure with the election of Senator Verdon.
“I’m excited to have somebody who i’ve worked with over the last year chose to take over the position,” he said. “I’m sure she’s going to do well, she’s become a friend of mine over the last year and i’m proud of her and I think she’ll do very well in her new position.”
Email Kyle Welling at cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
