Five-year record for Students’ Union voter turn-out

By Brent Constantin

The race to the end brought out almost 6,000 University of Calgary students, or 23.8 per cent of voters, to cast their votes for the 69th Students’ Union executive council. The turnout was an increase of about seven per cent from 2010–2011 and a five-year high.

Dylan Jones took president with 57 per cent of the vote, over current vice-president external Hardave Birk.

The slate of Matt Diteljan for VP student life and Patrick Straw for VP operations and finance easily dominated their competition with a resounding 75 and 78 per cent respectfully.

Another Matt will also join the team as Matt McMillan joins the SU as VP external after several failed attempts with 52 per cent of the vote. McMillan beat out Jason Coles (29 per cent) and Paul Hamnett (19 per cent) in the only race with more than two names on the ballot.

By a difference of only 524 votes, the most closely contested race of the night was VP academic that went to Ola Mohajer (56 per cent), who ousted incumbent Alyssa Stacy.

Current VP operations and finance James Delaney cruised to an easy victory over John Hampson with 72 per cent of the vote for the role of student representative on the U of C Board of Governors.

For the non-acclaimed faculty representative positions Ben Cannon, Raphael Jacob, Kelsey Norman and Scott Weir will represent the arts faculty out of a pool of eight candidates.

Sarah Nasser and incumbent Chris Palmer will serve as Haskayne School of Business representatives.

Michelle Huie took the victory in the faculty of medicine with 68 per cent of the total 166 votes cast.

Science students will have three representatives on the Students’ Legislative Council for the first time next year with Jason Hong and the returning Jack Siu and Aleena Mansoor.

Sixty-seven total veterinary medicine students turned out to vote to give Scott Zaari a win with 84 per cent.

The nursing faculty position is still vacant and will be filled later through a by-election.

The new group will be officially sworn in May 1 at the SU’s colour night ceremony.

For complete numbers visit www.su.ucalgary.ca

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