Economics student wins GSA election

Jun Xu, a doctorate student in the economics department, won the Graduate Student Association election for president last week after three days of voting.

Jillian Flood and Aubrey Balcom, who both ran unopposed, won the positions of vice president and treasurer, respectively.

Xu, a three-year member of the GSA finance committee, beat candidate Patricia Mahomond, an American Studies student and the outgoing GSA treasurer, by 81 votes. A total of 419 students voted.

Flood ran unopposed and captured 257 votes. Balcom, also unopposed, won 259 votes.

Xu, who has also served as the president, vice president and senator for Economics GSA, campaigned with the slogan "Let our association deliver to students what we deserved all along."

"I want to improve GSA on all levels," said Xu, who has also been the communication officer for the Chinese Students and Scholars Association. "The first thing I would focus on is communication, because that is one of the most important parts. I want to improve communication within the E-board, between GSA and the senators, between GSA and larger student groups and also between GSA and external groups like the administration, the (undergraduate) SA and campus publications."

In his platform, Xu advocated strengthening representation of graduate students' interests, promoting the popularity of GSA, enhancing communication between GSA and other organizations on campus, and improving the services offered by GSA.

He also said the new E-board has started working with the outgoing officers so they can get a jump on the work ahead of them.

"We don't officially take office until June 1, but we've started working with the outgoing E-board," Xu said. "Hopefully, by working with them, we can get ready for next year as soon as possible. We want to set an agenda for next year as soon as possible, hopefully within the next two months."

Xu said he is looking forward to the next year and that he is ready to dedicate the time necessary to accomplish his goals.

"I've already finished all the course work (for my doctorate), so my time is flexible," Xu said. "That's a very big advantage. I don't need to go to classes or courses, so I have a flexible schedule and can manage my time according to my own schedule. This will allow me to work very hard at making the GSA succeed this year."