As the time to vote in the latest Student Association election rapidly came to an end, UB students and delegates alike scrambled to give their final input before the polls closed.
Students' reasons for voting were as varied and diverse as the UB community.
???"I voted because I want to see women in power," said Kayla Maryles, a junior communication major and supporter of the Unified party. "I would also want the students that are in government to be as equal as the students that are not and be able to speak every students' voice."
???Bridgette Kendricks, a junior early childhood development major, took a different stance. Kendricks, a member of the women's basketball team and supporter of the Student Party, likes the new avenues and opportunities the Student Party offers.
"Because there is an athlete on board, they are already making a difference," Kendricks said. "We need a lot of changes here, and the Student Party simply seemed like a better choice."
Having a greater variety of students in SA will give UB more opportunities to present all that the university has to offer, instead of the relatively narrow venues of representation in the current administration, according to Kendricks.
Participation by delegates from every party also seemed to have its desired effect. It became nearly impossible in this past academic week to walk through the Student Union without being approached with a reminder to vote or an explanation of a party's plan from a well-dressed and passionate election hopeful.
Yaa Dufie, a sophomore nursing major, found this to be a deciding factor in her decision to vote.
"I listened to the delegates that approached me and liked what they had to say," Dufie said, who divided her vote amongst Student Party and Student Voice Party members.
Dufie appreciated parties' ideas on SUNY tuition hikes and an increased number of credits necessary for programs such as the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).
"I was unaware that these increases had even occurred and the policy had changed," Dufie said.
Andrilisa Read, a junior classics major and vice-presidential candidate of the Unified Party, highlighted the tremendous amount of work and effort put forth by the delegates from every party.
"It's a lot harder than anyone thinks," Read said. "After the first day of voting, people have learned to avoid the area of madness we were taking up in the [Student Union]. We just want to thank the people who did take the minute to listen, talk to us and make an informed decision...I've gained a new appreciation for the color yellow."
The delegates in other parties also shared a positive outlook on the pending election results.
"Everything is going really well, we are very confident, like the turnout and look forward to the results after three long days of campaigning," said Jordan Fried, a junior economics major and Student Party treasurer candidate.
The election has been a great learning experience, according to Cheryl Mohabir, a junior communication major and presidential candidate of the United Party.
"We ran a good, clean campaign and stayed true to what we believe in, which was our main goal," Mohabir said. "We thank students for believing in us and putting up with us."
