The Tripod

In the most heavily participated in Student Government Association (SGA) election in recent history, SGA Executive Vice President Andrew Grubin '10 defeated former SGA Executive Vice President Bryce Blum '10 to become SGA President-elect. Grubin will serve for the entirety of the 2009-2010 year. Grubin beat Blum 626 votes to 513.

"After a long and hard-fought race it is nice to return to business," said Grubin. "There are several issues that the SGA must address before the completion of the semester, such as writing the meal plans for next year. I believe that my election was the result of the student body's faith in me to accomplish what they want done. The other important factor contributing to my election was my friends; they gave me the support necessary to succeed."

"I wasn't surprised so much as disappointed," Blum said of his loss. "This is something that I have wanted for a very long time, and I thought I was a strong candidate for the position. […] I understood that being abroad made my task even more difficult, particularly since I was running against a candidate as qualified as Andrew. I wish things had worked out differently, but I am very happy for Andrew and I know he will do an excellent job of representing the SGA, the student body, and Trinity."

"I will absolutely continue my involvement with the SGA next year," Blum said. "This is an organization that I have spent more time working for than I care to count and there is no way I will turn my back on it until long after I graduate in the Spring. I'm not sure exactly what my role will be, but I will be looking to Andrew and the rest of the body to see where they think I will be most valuable."

Despite the loss, Blum was very grateful to his campaign staff. "[They] worked incredibly hard on my behalf," he said, "and there is no way this election would have been so close without their help. At the end of the day, the bulk of the campaign rigors fell on them. […] If nothing else, I learned that there are people on campus that are willing to put their own lives on hold to help me when I need them. There is no more rewarding feeling, even getting elected."

Voter turnout for this election was the highest in recent years, with 1139 students casting their votes for president. One year ago, 866 voted, and two years ago a mere 548 chose to exercise their right, when Andrew Maia '08 handed former Tripod Editor-in-Chief Joe Tarzi '08 a crushing defeat 436-148. Last year's contest was similarly a blowout, when Nathan Kirschbaum '09 won over David Kimball-Stanley '09 578-288.

"The SGA has successfully advocated for the student body over the past year," said Elections, Recruit, and Communications Chair Adam Katcher '12. "Significant accomplishments include acquiring the multi-purpose floor the Koeppel Sports Center, getting the College to foot the cable bill, and working with Chartwells to improve meal plans. The dramatic increase in voter turnout reflects the SGA's active role in representing the student body."

During the Executive Vice Presidential Debate, both candidates, Chris Gardner '10 and Ibrahim Diallo '11 were clear in their support: Gardner for Grubin, and Diallo for Blum. Grubin and Gardner are both brothers of the Sigma Nu fraternity. What many predicted to be a ticketed race, though, did not end as such. Diallo, current SGA Vice President of MAC, defeated Gardner 587-504.

"I am really honored to have the opportunity to serve as Executive Vice President," Diallo said. "I look forward to a great year working on behalf of the student body. I believe the student body evaluated the candidates and made a decision based on who they thought would best represent them and speak on their behalf. […] There are those who sincerely believe Gardner was the best candidate. I may not have their votes, but I look forward to working on their behalf as well."

In the closest race in recent history, Krystal L. Ramirez '10 defeated Alexandra Powell '12 for SGA Vice-President of Finance by a mere 10 votes. Though Ramirez and Powell both have served only one semester on budget committee, Ramirez has been in the Senate for over two years, experience which likely contributed to her win. "I would like to think that I won," Ramirez said, "because 569 students realized that I was the more qualified candidate, given my previous leadership experience not just in the SGA but in other campus organizations."

"I am very honored to have been elected to the VP of Finance position and given the opportunity to continue to serve the student body," Ramirez said. "I am so grateful to everyone who voted for me, because I only won by a margin of 10, and I hope to prove to those who did not support me that I can, in fact, be fair and unbiased and that I will work for their interests and listen to their concerns."

All elected are hopeful and enthusiastic about the coming year. "There are several goals that I have for the SGA next year," Grubin said, "including the implementation of a real intramural sports program and a reform of the bookstore. However, more important than what I plan on accomplishing is what the student body requests of us. The SGA will be open to the ideas and suggestions of all students, not just SGA members."

"I hope that our collective administration will accomplish great things," Ramirez said. "While at this point we can't exactly know what's going to come at us next year, I do think Ibrahim and Andrew had some great ideas in their platforms."

"I have worked with both Grubin and Ramirez really well in the past," said Diallo. "I commend their passion and commitment to serving the student body. I have tremendous respect for [Ramirez]. She has done so much for the student body and too often her hard work goes unnoticed. If you look back at SGA's accomplishments in the last two years, she has been at the forefront of it all. As for Andrew, he is a hard worker and it will be a challenge to keep up with him as his vice president, but I hope to be there whenever he needs me."

Eight candidates ran for five Senator-at-Large positions, which were won by Melissa Litwack '10 (579 votes), Remy Renault '10 (563 votes), Dan Zauderer '10 (452 votes), Katcher (523 votes), and William Yale '12 (475 votes).

Malcolm Brown '10 ran unopposed for Vice President of MAC, and Chase Caillouette '10 ran unopposed for Vice President of Entertainment.

Grubin's victory is the narrowest victory since the three-way race of Spring 2006, when Devin Romanul '07 edged out the competition, Zachary Contreras-Gould '07 By 21 votes. Whitney Hart '09 was also a candidate, gathering 181 less votes than Romanul.

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