Palmer to head ASUSU
Steve Palmer was announced as the new president of the Associated Students of Utah State University Thursday night in the Taggart Student Center Sunburst Lounge and will be sworn in with the other officers April 10.
Before the announcement, Palmer said, “To be honest, I feel really calm. I’m not saying that because I think we’ll win. I’m saying that because we did the best we could on the campaign and whatever happens we can walk away with our heads held high.”
Before reading the contents of the envelope, Ben Riley, current ASUSU president, thanked all the people who made an effort to run in the elections and the people who voted. He said there were 4,680 people who voted in the final elections.
According to the Associated Students Voting Statistics, the 4,680 votes accounted for 22 percent of the student body. That’s the highest percentage of voters since Extension students began voting in 1999. It’s 9 percent up from last year’s election turnout, which was the lowest turnout since before 1969.
Each newly elected student was announced by the officer currently holding that particular position. Andy Haws, Academic vice-president-elect, said he wasn’t too worried about his campaign because he was running unopposed. He said he was more worried about his wife, Nollie Dockum Haws, who wasn’t running unopposed, but who nonetheless won as Public Relations vice president.
Before giving the name of his successor, Riley said he had prepared a short speech and then let a stack of computer paper spill off the front of the lectern. Riley, however, decided not to address the crowd and instead announced Palmer as the next president.
After hugging his wife, Palmer took the stage and thanked all the people who campaigned for him, especially his campaign manager – who happens to be his wife as well.
“This is a brand new university with a brand new president and a brand new council. I think we can accomplish some really incredible goals,” Palmer said.
After Palmer’s speech, the brand new ASUSU Executive Council members all went upstairs to have their first meeting. They all sat in the Senate Chambers, TSC, Room 336, around a large oval table and smiled as Palmer called the meeting to order.
“OK, I don’t know how to start,” Palmer said, holding his new gavel. “I don’t know if you begin or end with these. I’ll figure it out later.”
The newly elected students talked about summer training programs and met their advisors. The meeting ended much like it started.
“We’ll deal with the parliamentary procedure later. Until then, all in favor of ending this meeting now say, ‘Go Aggies,'” Palmer said.
Everybody yelled, “Go Aggies.” Then it was out the door to take pictures and exchange congratulations.
Tiffany Evans, associate director of Student Activities, said, “I really want to say congratulations to everybody who was in the race. It took a lot of courage, commitment and effort. Every student that put forth the effort to run deserves to be commended.”
Matt Croshaw, running as a write-in candidate, lost to Palmer by fewer than 400 votes. Before the results were announced, he said about his campaign, “I feel good. To be completely honest, my mom just gave me an awesome pep talk. It’s totally my mom. I think mothers have this ability to tell their children the exact things they need to hear to make them feel OK, no matter what the outcome.”
“In my six years of experience at USU, I have never seen such a viable write-in candidate or one that has received this many votes,” Evans said about Croshaw’s campaign.
Taylor Leavitt, who came in just more than 200 points under Croshaw, said before the results were announced, “I feel nervous, excited and relieved. I don’t think you could ever get a feeling as mixed up as this right now. We’ve had an excellent campaign committee. We’ve given this our all – no regrets.”
New ASUSU president Steve Palmer gets a hug from his mom during announcement festivities. (Liz Hobson photo)