A flood of support, Noah Riley runs away with ASUSU presidency
More than 1,750 students helped propel Noah Riley to a presidential victory over his opponent Cam Lee Wednesday.
The ASUSU final election results were announced in the TSC Sunburst Lounge, but not without a few setbacks, including the first tied vote in the senate history of the College of Agriculture.
With all the current elected college senators and Executive Council members seated on stage, Holly Scott, director of public relations, said the results could not be announced until all campaign materials were removed from campus. Twenty minutes later, the show went on.
Beginning with the college senators, each 2005-2006 elected officer stood at the podium, opened an envelope and announced their successor for the 2006-2007 terms.
In the case of Logan Ipsen and Brynn Campbell, both College of Agriculture senator candidates, the announcement only prolonged their anticipation. Cody Bingham, acting Agriculture senator, announced that for the first time in College of Agriculture senate history, there was tie vote with both Campbell and Bingham receiving 112 votes.
The question of how to determine a winner was posed to both candidates, and though there were other options available, they decided to have a coin toss rather than put the students in the College of Agriculture through another election, Ipsen said.
“It was probably the most nerve-racking experience of my life,” he said of the time spent between the announcement and the final decision.
Ipsen, whose choice of tails secured him a spot on the Academic Senate, said Campbell is one of his good friends and the tight race shows just how tough the Agriculture department can be.
Acting ASUSU President Quinn Millet spoke to all the candidates prior to the announcing of the final results when he said, “You have a responsibility and an opportunity.” He later announced Riley as the winner of the presidential election – a statement that was met with applause. Riley then took the podium and said he considered his victory “an awesome honor.”
“This is a win we all earned,” Riley said, speaking of his supporters.
Riley said he wants to “win over” the 20,000 students who didn’t vote.
Peter McChesney, who beat out Chris Steele for the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences senate position, said he was really happy with the results, but was relieved it was all over. McChesney said all of the candidates were well qualified and he appreciated all his supporters.
“I’m sad to be leaving,” said Spencer Watts, the outgoing Academic Senate vice president.
Watts said he thinks Michelle Lundberg, the incoming vice president, will do a wonderful job. Watts said he has some political aspirations in his future, though he isn’t sure exactly what yet.
Following the conclusion of the final election announcements, all newly elected Executive Council and college senate members met in the senate chamber on the third floor of the TSC.
Student Services Vice President Juan Franco was present and said, “You’re not the average Joe anymore.” He said the new members are celebrities now and need to behave in a respectable manner.
“I’m very proud of you,” Franco said. He concluded by saying the meeting was not a time for long speeches and the new ASUSU officers needed to go out and celebrate since they will be very busy in the subsequent year.
Riley said the promises and goals the ASUSU officers made as candidates are important and he hopes they “consider those binding.”
The inauguration of all the new officers will take place April 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the TSC Ballroom.
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