Following last week’s close primary election between three candidates for Speaker of the Assembly, sophomore Charlie Cohen won the position April 15 after a run-off election against junior Sojourner White.
Although official election results posted on Student Senate’s social media accounts presented conflicting information, and the rationale for an unaccounted vote on the organization’s Facebook post was also incorrect, Student Senate’s Brave Life Director Nick Clark, who monitored the voting process, confirmed that Cohen received 216 votes, and White received 207 votes. With 424 total votes, there was one abstention; write-ins were not allowed.
Cohen, a political science and public relations double major, said he plans to populate a Student Senate that represents the whole campus and also links senators more closely with their constituents.
“I think that the Student Senate did some really amazing things this past year, and I hope to work with the other [Student Body Officers] in building off of that success and taking it to the next level,” Cohen said.
At Monday’s General Assembly, University President Joanne Glasser swore President of the Student Body, Secretary of the Finances and Secretary of the Assembly into their offices.
Former Student Body President Jason Blumenthal spoke to the Student Senate prior to installations.
“Thank you all for a wonderful year,” Blumenthal said. “I appreciate all the hard work you’ve done at Student Senate as well as allowing me to serve as your president this year. I congratulate the next administration; I expect them to do great things just as well.”
Glasser told the students present that “every student in the room” has made an impact on campus and that she looks forward to what the next year holds for the organization.
“You all have a lot to feel really good about in terms of your voice and your student voice and your impact on this campus,” Glasser said. “I encourage you to keep that voice alive and vibrant and strong in the future. We listen; the administration listens, but most importantly, it cares. This campus and its mission is centered around students, and that will not change. Make sure your voices are heard, make sure your voices and opinions are known, and continue to share them.”
Furthermore, she urged students to embrace their responsibilities to represent the differences of people on campus and to respect them.
On the 2015-2016 Student Senate executive board, Cohen joins fellow “Brave On” ticket members, Secretary of the Assembly Allie Hoffman and Secretary of the Finances Hunter Vaughn, as well as “A Brave Change” ticket member, President of the Student Body Sarah Handler.
