After two days of poll sitting, four hours of ballot counting and six pizza pies, the 12 members of the elections committee announced the future leaders of the Student Association.
The four referenda regarding the student activity fee and constitutional amendments were all approved with an overwhelming majority ranging from 82 to 92 percent.
The Binghamton University student body elected Jared Kirschenbaum as its new president. He was overjoyed and teary-eyed as he called family members and friends.
“I overall want to thank the students for making this happen,” Kirschenbaum said. “I promise I’m not going to let them down.”
In addition to training for his elected position, Kirschenbaum will act as vice president for finance for the remainder of the semester.
Current VPF Matt Allwood announced his resignation at Monday’s Assembly meeting, citing medical issues. According to the SA constitution, if the VPF resigns, the executive vice president must take over the VPF’s responsibilities.
Kirschenbaum’s opponent Jeremy Goldstein said he was happy he ran for office and congratulated Kirschenbaum on a job well done.
“Jared’s going to be a wonderful president and I have full faith that he will be able to serve the students extremely well,” SA President Adam Amit said.
The next position announced, EVP, was awarded to Jenna Goldin.
Goldin was not only thrilled with the results, but was also pleased with the high voter turnout.
While only 10 candidates ran this year, 2,026 ballots were counted compared to the 2,281 ballots counted last year when 23 candidates ran.
The race for vice president for finance was a close one, but ended with Adam Shamah winning 54.7 percent of the vote.
Because of his unopposed campaign, current Vice President for Programming Aaron Cohn, who will continue to hold his position, remained more relaxed than last year and was able to enjoy the atmosphere.
“I got 99 problems but an election ain’t one,” he said.
Current Vice President for Academic Affairs Daniel Rabinowitz, who will also remain in his position, is optimistic that he will be able to do a better job next year because of the experience he has gained.
Edmund Mays ran unopposed for vice president for multicultural affairs and won with 88.35 percent of the vote. Through a write-in campaign, Jacqueline Tello gained 5.73 percent of the vote.
Students voted to keep the student activity fee mandatory based on an election that occurs every two years in accordance with the guidelines of the SUNY board of trustees. The fee was approved to be increased from $86.50 to $92.50 per semester.
Supplement “A” will allocate $3 of the $6 per-semester increase to the Student Association Programming Board. The remaining $3 per semester will go to Off Campus College Transport.
Supplement “B” makes numerous constitutional changes, such as clearly defining the responsibilities of executive board positions and Assembly structure.
According to Assembly chair Elahd Bar-Shai, there is now a distinction that separates the politics of the SA from other aspects of the organization.
The newly elected E-Board members will implement the referenda in the upcoming year.
“It was a very smooth election and we’re happy to start training the new E-Board,” Amit said.