Election Results!
SGA election results are in. Gabe Schechter ’12 will serve as SGA President after beating Holden Bale ’12 by seven percent. Christopher Dorman ’12 will serve as Vice President of Student Affairs, having taken 54 percent of the vote. Wadzanai Motsi ’12, who campaigned from abroad, was elected as Vice President of Academic Affairs with 51 percent of the vote.
“I think it was a very competitive election, and all the positions were well-contested,” Schechter said.
Schechter recovered after taking losing to Bale by eight percent in the first round of voting.
For Wadzanai Motsi, winning the election from abroad may have been an even bigger achievement.
“After seeing the first round election results, I wasn’t expecting to win,” Motsi wrote in an email.
She also admitted that she felt a greater responsibility.
“Even though I wasn’t there, people still think I have something to offer and I don’t want to let them down,” she wrote.
Next semester’s cabinet will be chosen by Schechter, Motsi, Dorman and Assistant Treasurer Kathy Anderson ’13, who will serve as Treasurer next year.
“We are working right now putting together the applicants,” Dorman said. “For cabinet, you apply to us, we figure out who we think is the best person, and bring that person forward to Joint Board after spring break.”
Cabinet applications can be emailed to [schechter].
Runoff Elections for SGA President, VPSA, and VPAA!
Runoff between Gabe Schechter ’12 and Holden Bale ’12
Holden Bale: 442 votes (47.9%)
Gabe Schechter: 371 votes (40.2%)
Learn more about candidates running for: President, Vice President of Student Affairs, or Vice President of Academic Affairs.
Presidential Candidates
Holden Bale ’12
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSKUV8MFY8o
After being VPSA, I think I see areas where Grinnell can improve student quality of life and become a more responsible member of the community. If you vote for me, my priorities for SGA will be a focus on: supporting socioeconomically disadvantaged and first-generation students; creating a better CDO; improving the college’s environmental policies; raising student wages; increasing funding for social justice/community service activities; and expanding DHall hours and the Outtakes system. I’d also work on reforming SGA to be more useful for all Grinnellians – through better communication of our advocacy at all levels (via Plans / an upgraded SGA website). And, obviously, I’ll show The Room and throw Jersey Shore Harris again next year.
Gabe Schechter ’12
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uek-dA351Xs
Hi. My name is Gabe Schechter ’12, and I would like to be your SGA President next year. For the past two years, I have had the privilege of being on SGA cabinet as Assistant Treasurer and then Treasurer. I understand what constitutes a strong, well-organized cabinet, and therefore plan to make collaboration a priority in all projects. I am also currently leading an audit of SGA’s major components, so we can get “more bang for our buck.” Also, I am working the Director of Community Enhancement and Engagement to set up a grant program to support student social justice projects and organizational ideas. And lastly, I want to make sure that the implementation of any new alcohol policy by the Harm Reduction Committee is done with the best interests of students in mind.
Runoff between Cyril Afeku ’13 and Christopher Dorman ’12
Cyril Afeku: 256 votes (28%)
Christopher Dorman: 291 votes (32%)
Vice President of Student Affairs
Cyril Afeku ’13
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGZDFG7W-Z4
Cabinet member of ISO, NAACP & ASCU. As an SA, I led my floor to win the inaugural house war. Member of the Grinnell community [priceless]. Candidate C co-authored the [Resolution Concerning Campus Climate and Continued Discussion] in direct response to last year’s hate crime incidents. Developed and led diversity training exercises in tutorial classes. I am a committed and passionate individual who doesn’t lack motivation. CYRIL AFEKU: REAL ISSUES: REAL SOLUTIONS
Christopher Dorman ’12
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gFlrsPeapo
My name is Christopher Dorman and I am a third year student running for Vice President of Student Affairs. I believe I have the skills necessary to be a strong advocate for all students making certain that the concerns of our student body are heard and addressed. I pledge to remain active with student committees and organizations in order to be aware and better understand our concerns. I pledge to take all necessary actions to ensure conflict resolution appropriately. I am always accessible and glad to answer any questions you may have about my candidacy. Thank you.
Runoff between Jack Menner ’13 and Wadzanai Motsi ’12
Jack Menner: 313 votes (34.3%)
Wadzanai Motsi: 298 votes (32.6%)
Vice President of Academic Affairs
Jack Menner ’13
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhJUueOK-iM
I am Jack Menner, a second-year Philosophy major, originally from Grinnell, IA. I am involved with the Center for Prairie Studies and run cross-country. If elected VPAA, I will make sure that our voices and opinions do not go unheard. I will also work to ensure that students are aware of conversations the faculty, administration, and trustees are having regarding issues that affect us students directly. I honestly believe that we have something important to say in the academic arena; I honestly hope you will trust me to turn up the volume. Send any questions to [mennerja] or Loose 6222.
Wadzanai Motsi ’12
My name is Wadzanai Motsi ’12, I am an International Relations major. This semester I am studying abroad in India, Senegal, and Argentina. As VPAA I would be committed to working with faculty and administrative representatives in order to make sure students’ perspective are not only heard, but also used in developing the academic climate at Grinnell. My aim would be to continue the commendable work of past VPAAs, in addition to facilitating greater student input in academic planning, and better communication of student needs, faculty goals, and administrative objectives. Thus, I ask that you elect me to be your academic representative on the Student Government Association for 2011-2012.
