Winners announced in highly-contested UWSA election

Tight competition sees Lauren Bosc re-elected president with new executive team

Cheers went up as the winning candidates of the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association general election were announced Thursday.

Three of four executive positions were contested, with Lauren Bosc re-elected President, Zach Fleisher elected Vice President Advocate, Laura Sexsmith elected Vice President Student Services and Andrée Forest selected for Vice President Internal.

Bosc is excited to be able to continue her work as president.

“I think it’s really exciting that students have put their faith in me to do this for another year,” she said.

Bosc already has plans for several initiatives on campus, including improved wireless Internet and cell phone access.

“Now that I know I’ve been re-elected I can spend the summer really addressing those issues,” said Bosc.

This election has inspired Bosc to take some cues from her competitors.

“I’m thinking of taking the criticism that was brought forward by other candidates and some of the ideas as well and make sure that everything we do this year is really consultative and student-based,” said Bosc.

I think it’s really exciting that students have put their faith in me to do this for another year.

Lauren Bosc, president, UWSA

New VPA Fleisher carried out an impressive 77 classroom presentations during campaign season, and looks forward to continue reaching out to students.

“The entire campaign has been called ‘Let’s talk,’ and we want to connect with students. It’s a students association and it’s meant to represent students in that way,” he said.

As candidate for the one uncontested executive position, VPI Forest has been already been planning ways to enhance the internal workings of the UWSA.

“I know Kaitie (Haig-Anderson) did a lot of great work and some shifts to the budget that are going to be really good for next year,” said Forest.

Forest’s plans include an initiative she calls The Kitchen Table, where she will set up a table (borrowed from her own kitchen) in an open space to provide an accessible area for students to get closer contact with their executives.

Laura Sexsmith was not available for comment at this time.

Andri Shchudlo, chief elections commissioner for the UWSA, said voter turnout was approximately 11.5 per cent. This is an improvement over 2011 general election voter turnout of 9 per cent. The all-time record for voter turnout was 13.3 per cent.

Shchudlo attributes the improved turnout to the contested positions, hard-working polling officers, and outreach to overlooked demographics such as business and science students.

“It’s a combination of a lot of great candidates, especially a lot of really competitive races for the executive positions. It got lots of people out,” said Shchudlo.

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