GSBA execs elected
In the best voter turnout since '05, Folger and Esser lead way with 1,015
Tim Bross
Issue date: 3/9/07 Section: News
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The Gonzaga student body voted on next year's executive branch last week, with the highest turnout since 2004.
"I think it was around 25 percent," Elections Commissioner John Beyer said. "It was about 1,100 [students who voted]."
As expected, junior Ben Folger and sophomore Julia Esser won GSBA president and vice president, respectively, completing their unopposed campaigns.
"I just hope me being re-elected is a testament to what I've done," Folger said.
According to Folger, his goal next year is to include more of the "off-campus population," and said he was pleased to see so many upperclassmen - who predominantly choose off-campus housing - attend Daryl Davis' speech on the KKK last Wednesday.
Folger's history with GSBA began as a freshman in the Senate. He was elected to GSBA vice president as a sophomore and is currently the GSBA president. Folger said he hopes to continue to boost interest in programs such as the strategic plan, the Gonzaga Creed and social justice.
"We want to make sure everyone feels involved on campus," he said.
Junior Jeb Berg was elected treasurer. The next highest vote-getter lost by more than 400 votes.
Berg credited his victory to campaigning and "taking the time to sit down with students to listen to what they have to say."
Berg agreed that student involvement is paramount, especially to his success as treasurer. He said he will work hard to clarify the funding for clubs at Gonzaga.
"Clubs are the No. 1 way students get involved," Berg said. "And the main thing facing clubs is the policy to get funding."
Berg, who is this year's director of clubs and organizations, said that although students represent seats on the finance board, they are bound to the policies and procedures of their committee.
"The committee is there, but they have a three-page long document saying what you can and can't get money for," Berg said.
Current treasurer senior Paolo Guttadauro said Berg is equipped to handle his job and encourages him to ask questions whenever possible.
"If you do, it really helps," he said.
Folger said "improving life for clubs" was at the top of his list too. He pointed to the sports constitution change and intercultural constitution changes passed by overwhelming majority by the student body as positive signs.
Junior Drew Anderson was elected as speaker of the senate. His race against freshman Mike Kelsey was much closer than Berg's, and he eeked out a 497-463 win.
Anderson exuded excitement regarding his new position and said he has high expectations.
"I wish I could start tomorrow," he said. "I just have a bunch of ideas running around my head that I want to start."
Those ideas, according to Anderson, include bridging the gap between the legislative and executive branch and "doing more for diversity programs." Anderson also said he plans to explain to senators the power their positions possess.
"Next year's senate will be something you've never seen," he said. "No one has really explored the possibilities of the influence they have."
Senior Jenny Huston will abandon her post as vice president because she is graduating. She said leaving will be difficult, but is confident in Esser's ability.
"I've been meeting with her a lot," Huston said, explaining that when she took over her position this year, "it was kind of tough at the beginning."
"I anticipate that it will be really hard," Esser said. "I'm a freshman this year, so a lot of the issues taking place at Gonzaga, [are ones that I] have only been affiliated with a semester and a half. But Ben will be able to teach me a lot in a short time."
GSBA will accepting applications on Mar. 31 for appointed positions. They will be available in the GSBA office after spring break.
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2008 GSBA Election Winners
President: Ben Folger
Vice President: Julia Esser
Speaker of the Senate: Drew Anderson
Treasurer: Jeb Berg
Graduation Speaker: David Perez
Senior President: Dustin Charters
Senior Vice President: Sarah Olson
Junior President: Joe Di Re
Junior Vice President: Kyle Ridgeway
Sophomore President: Joe Matelich
Sophomore Vice President: Katelyn McLeod or Michael Lemieux (runoff)