Less than one third of the student body voted in the recent Union elections, in which current Union President Joshua Brandfon '05 lost to Finance Board Chair Mark Schlangel '05 by a landslide mandate. Schlangel, now the president-elect, received 738 votes more than all the other candidates combined-eliminating the need for another round of presidential elections.

Other Executive Board election winners include Erica Lemansky '05, who was elected vice-president, Danny Silverman '05, who was re-elected secretary and Aaron Gaynor '07, who was elected treasurer.

Gaynor and Silverman both ran unopposed.

"I was a little surprised by the magnitude by which [Schlangel] won," Executive Assistant for Student Union Affairs Adam Herman '04 said.

Herman also said the lower voter turnout was expected.

"General voting trends for small liberal arts schools are about one third," Herman said. "[The voter turnout was] about the same as every year."

Although the Union did not take specific action to increase voter turnout, Herman said it has tried to do so in the past without much success.

"We have tried phone banking and more posters," Herman said. "This year [we] did not do anything extra, but if there is no final round of president, then there is less voter turnout."

Schlangel also said getting higher voter turnout is difficult because of student apathy. He said that creating a more "friendly" Student Union would compel students to vote.



Campaign materials

Schlangel's campaign advertisements relied on sexual innuendo arising from a pun he used on his last name. "Erect Schlangel" was the psychology major's campaign slogan. Union officials attribute this to his victory, though some said it was inappropriate.

"I think campaigns are two-fold in nature," Herman said. "One-telling students what you can do for them and two-getting them to vote for you. Mr. Schlangel did a great job getting students' attention, but I hope he accomplishes what he promised and doesn't just entertain the student body."

Brandfon expressed similar sentiments, agreeing that Schlangel got his name heard but that he had heard complaints against the nature of the signs.

"His campaign and the way he chose to run it was his choice," Brandfon said. "But I heard a number of people say they were offended by it. He proved sex sells."

Schlangel defended his slogans as a way to generate attention so he could then accomplish serious goals once in office.

"I want people to know my campaign strategy does not reflect a lack of sincerity," Schlangel said. "It is just a means to creatively attract attention and nature of slogan also uses word of mouth. It's like The Apprentice because the women used sex to sell their product. The campaign strategy is simply a means to an end and just used for name and face recognition."



Schlangel's platform

Schlangel said his main goal is to set a tone for the Union. He also said he wants the Union to reach out to students who have ideas to improve the University.

"I want to listen to their ideas and involve them," Schlangel said.

Schlangel also expressed a desire to work with closely with the Diversity Committee and the ICC on diversity issues

"I also want special diversity training for the Finance Board. [I want] to create club leader training and continue my efforts from last year to make the Student Union a resource for clubs and leaders."

Brandfon said his platform was very student-oriented, as opposed to Schlangel's more club-focused initiatives. He said he is considering staying involved in Union government next year.

Schlangel also said he is planning a new lottery system proposal that would create a more friendly environment, in light of students' complaints that the current system incites too much tension.



Constitutional amendments

Three of the four Union constitutional amendments dealing with voting and balloting clarifications passed in this election.

The amendment drafted by Schlangel and Union Treasurer Andrei Khots '05, allowing students abroad to vote while not paying the Student Activities Fee, passed.

Another amendment passed to clarify voting procedures and defines how each ballot is laid out.

Another amendment passed to clarify the petition and referenda process and define the process for handling such a vote.

The only amendment that did not pass dealt with instituting instant runoff voting.



Other election results

Darnisa Amante '06 was elected Representative to the Board of Trustees, Rebecca Hanus '06 was elected Representative to the UCC.

Elected members of the Finance Board are Khots, Omer Rosenhand '06, Joshua Green '06 and Ariel Strauss '07.