Following three days of handshakes, campaigning and voting, six of The Student Party's seven hopefuls were elected into the Student Association's top spots.
Approximately 2,566 students took part in the voting process.
Hassan Farah, current SA Senate Chair, and Ernesto Alvarado, Latin American Student Association Treasurer, won the presidential and vice-presidential race for The Student Party. The two defeated Unified Party candidates Cheryl Mohabir and Andrilisa Read by 82 votes.
"It showed our credentials," Farah said. "It showed that our party had vision. We are going to bring the change required for students."
The fight for SA's treasurer spot was tighter. Jordan Fried of The Student Party narrowly defeated Unified Party candidate Gregory Robbins by 22 votes.
"I think this goes to show just how much the students really want their government to care," Fried said. "We're going to get a good night's sleep and get right to work on fulfilling our campaign's promises."
Three candidates from The Student Party were also elected to SUNY Delegate positions. Nick Baxter, Emily Bauer and Amanda Jonas took the first three positions, while Jennifer Lewis, a member of the Unified Party and a staff writer for The Spectrum, took the fourth and final spot.
Alex Wallach, the only member of The Student Party not to get elected, was beat out by Lewis by only 36 votes.
Lewis looks to make noise in Albany with her fellow delegates next year.
"I am truly honored to have the opportunity to represent our student body in the assembly," Lewis said. "I look forward to working with my fellow elected representatives to make our Student Association the best it can be in this upcoming school year."
Bauer, the winner of the second available delegate position, feels that having most of her party get elected will benefit students the most.
"I cannot wait to work," Bauer said. "We know that we can work together and get the job done."
Joshua Boston, a member of the SA Elections and Credentials Committee and former managing editor of The Spectrum, felt that the high turnout was due to the character of those who ran for office.
"The students had great choices," Boston said. "We couldn't have asked for better candidates or for better three days of voting. You can't complain."
Peter Grollitsch, current SA President, looks to offer a helping hand to the incoming group.
"I'm going to do whatever I can to help them," Grollitsch said. "We have a month to work together. I'm from Buffalo, so if they need help over the summer, I'll be there for them."
Farah hopes to sit down with Grollitsch, in addition to
those who were not elected, in order to work towards a better SA.
"I'll consult anyone that has anything to share with me," Farah said. "I want the transition to go well. I'm ready to talk to all parties, especially my opposition."
Farah is anxious to meet with many of the individuals who put him into office - in addition to those who chose other candidates.
"It's going to be a pleasure serving students, and I can't wait to work with all of them," Farah said.
For Boston, the results defined the power of a vote.
"It was such a tight election," Boston said. "The students' voices were heard."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
