With a narrow lead of 0.5 percent over ACT party, Unite won ASUU elections on Friday after receiving approximately 35 percent of the vote. Of the 32,061 students enrolled at the University of Utah, 3,444 students voted online, which is a 10.7 percent voter participation rate. According to current ASUU president Jack Bender, this is that largest voter turnout that the organization has record for.
Unite party led the polls with 1,199 votes, 19 more than the second-place candidate, ACT, and exceeded Precision by 134 votes. Led by President-elect Zach Berger, Unite was confident in their student-focused platform but feels fortunate to have won.
“We always had a good chance of winning, but the other two parties were just as qualified and had great candidates,” said Berger.
The party’s platform says they plan to “revitalize campus events, foster a sense of safety and security in our community, and facilitate student involvement by publicizing opportunities to get involved and develop relationships with student organizations.”
In the second debate, Unite said their proposals include combining ASUU’s two annual concerts into one big show, organizing a campus-wide tailgate and showing movies at Rice Eccles Stadium. They also plan to host town hall-style meetings to gather student input.
Unite aims to help students achieve by creating a streamlined web page for students to find clubs, jobs and internships. They want to go beyond student success, though, to improve student safety and wellness. Unite intends to increase funding for bystander intervention training and find ways to increase access to counseling.
Along with Vice President-elect of University Relations Zoe Kozlowski and Vice President-elect of Student Relations Saeed Shihab, Berger said his first order of business is to build a diverse and qualified cabinet to carry out their campaign goals.
The appointed executive cabinet consists of 17 students who are responsible for numerous boards and committees during a term that lasts for one year. These groups represent various interests ranging from sustainability to marketing.
Although it has only been a few days since the election subsided, Berger is already preparing to take office in May.
“When I heard the results, initially I couldn’t believe it,” Berger said. “I was really excited, but then I realized it’s time to get to work.”
The full elections outcomes, including those for senate and assembly seats, can be viewed on ASUU’s website. Unite will fill any unoccupied seats through an application process.
ASUU SENATE
Architecture and Planning
Connor Roach
Business
Chandler Dean
Cultural and Social Transformation
No candidates
Dentistry
Melanie Barber
Education
Oliver Anderson
Engineering
Chase Peterson
Fine Arts
No candidates
Health
Alyssa Lamb
Humanities
Rebecca Walker
Law
Carley Herrick
Medicine
Trevor Annis
Mines and Earth Science
Nathan Ong
Nursing
No candidates
Pharmacy
Michael Stapley
Science
Kaitlin McLean
Eric Reece
Social and Behavioral Science
Summer Mikkelsen
Cole McCubbins
Social Work
Abigail Stover
Academic Advising Center (University College)
No candidates
ASUU ASSEMBLY
Architecture and Planning
No candidates
Business
Abby Lydens
Spencer Shuppy
Cultural and Social Transformation
No candidates
Dentistry
McCall McCord
Education
No candidates
Engineering
Abhi Harikumar
Eric Komperud
Erika Feten
Haley Feten
Mitchell Kirkham
YoungJae Shin
Fine Arts
Christina Bargelt
Health
Amanda Goodner
Humanities
Broderick R. Sterrett
Caitlin Silianoff
Chelsea Sather
Noah Hughes
Law
No candidates
Medicine
No candidates
Mines and Earth Science
No candidates
Nursing
No candidates
Pharmacy
Taryn Dorius
Science
Erin Carroll
Kasra Rahmati
Michael Xiao
Social and Behavioral Science
AnnaMarie Barnes
Connor Morgan
Howie Huynh
Kobe Cornelison
Social Work
No candidates
Academic Advising Center (University College)
Maggie Bielefeld