Voter turnout was just shy of ten per cent
Photo by Ashlee Levy.
The polls have now closed for this year’s UVSS election, and the results are in for the newly-elected UVSS Board of Directors.
The voting period ended at 5 p.m. on March 27, and the unofficial results were released a few days later on the UVSS Electoral Office Instagram.
Voter turnout slightly increased this year, with a 9.9 per cent turnout, up from four per cent last year, and 6.6 per cent from 2021. However, it is a decrease from 2020, when the voter turnout was 14.8 per cent.
Included on the ballot were four referendum questions for voters to answer, with most of the questions asking for support on slightly raising fees to support campus initiatives. However, the referendums were unsuccessful in meeting the necessary 15 per cent quorum required to pass the questions.
Lead Directors
In this election, many new faces make up the new lead directors positions, some with no previous board experience.
The director of campaigns and community relations position went to Cleo Philp, beating out one another candidate for the position. This will be their first time joining the Board. In an email to the Martlet, Philp commented about their excitement to serve student interests. Their top goals are to increase pressure on the government regarding the housing crisis, as well as vacancy control in B.C. For now, they look forward to learning and becoming effective in their new role.
“I’m so excited and honored that I’ve been elected as the new director of campaigns and community relations,” said Philp, in an email to the Martlet. “The campaign process was so educational and inspiring, and I’m so glad I got to hear the voices of so many students along the way.”
Khushi Wadhwa, who ran uncontested for the director of finance and operations position, will be another new face joining the Board. In an email to the Martlet, Wadhwa commented about her top priorities being addressing the concerns and assisting the operations of the SUB, students clubs, and students.
“I am grateful for everyone who supported me throughout the election process and [am] so happy to be on the board,” said Wadhwa. “I hope this position will help me apply some concepts I’ve learn[ed] in class.”
The outreach and university relations position went to Lane O’Hara Cooke. Cooke has previous Board experience as the director of finance and operations, and was also previously the UVSS Board representative for the Gender Empowerment Centre.
Emily Lam ran uncontested for the director of student affairs position, and this will be her first time joining the Board.
“I look forward to collaborating with my peers and working together to ensure student success,” said Lam, in an email to the Martlet. “I’m super grateful for all the support I got from everyone throughout this election and I’m excited for this learning opportunity.”
The director of events position was snagged uncontested by Sarah Buchanan. Buchanan has had previous experience as a director at large.
Faculty Representatives
The faculty representatives elected for this upcoming year include Riya Shekharbhai Parekh for director of social sciences student relations, Keegan Waklee for humanities, Tarek Alakkad for engineering and computer science, Naomi Tran for fine arts, and Kelly Weiling Zou for law.
Directors at Large
Two candidates were elected this year to take up the position of director at large. Voters chose Alisa Atanackovic and Liam Peta to occupy these seats.
International students also voted in Nico Caparas as director of international student relations, beating out the current incumbent contestant for the position.
