Friday, March 29, 2024

AdvertiseDonateSubmit
NewsSportsArtsOpinionThe QuadPhotoVideoIllustrationsCartoonsGraphicsThe StackPRIMEEnterpriseInteractivesPodcastsBruinwalkClassifieds

Students First! wins landslide victory

By Daily Bruin Staff

May 2, 1996 9:00 p.m.

Friday, May 3, 1996

Despite high voter turnout, referenda fall short of passingBy
Brooke Olson

Daily Bruin Staff

Under the harsh light of a full moon, about 200 Students First!
members danced, cheered and cried as election results were
announced ­ their slate had won every undergraduate council
seat.

"Oh my God," gasped John Du, the newly elected undergraduate
council president.

"I can’t believe it, I feel really overwhelmed," he added,
pressing his hands to his mouth as tears streamed down his
cheeks.

United Student members stood silently as the results were
announced in Westwood Plaza at 1:30 this morning.

"I can’t believe it," said Jason Termors, a United Student
member. "I can’t believe we didn’t win at least one spot on
council."

With an overwhelming 60 percent of the vote, Du surpassed his
opponents, United Student candidate Brad Miller and Bruin Vision
candidate J.D. Tovar.

"I just hope we made students aware of the issues we fought
for," Miller said. "I wish the Students First! best of luck and I’d
like to see them implementing some of the issues United Students
have fought for."

Tovar,the third party candidate, also congratulated Du and
encouraged students to participate in the election process.

"I hope that students will not feel like they have to have
either one party or the other," Tovar said. "If anything, I hope
Bruin Vision inspired other students to form their own slate."

Members of all the parties were shocked to learn that Students
First! dominated the elections.

"I’m completely in shock," said Dan Ryu, an organizer of the
Student First! campaign. "Tonight we will celebrate, but come
tomorrow we need to focus on the issues."

Voter turnout for this election exceeded last year’s
participation by 2,000 votes ­ a record high, said Robert
Rhoan, the Election Board chair. This election also had the
smallest discrepancy; out of the 6,585 votes cast, only three did
not contain signatures.

"I was very pleased with the turnout and with the small
discrepancy," Rhoan said. "It has been very tense but it was also a
very positive experience."

Slate members attributed this increase in participation to
positive campaigning on behalf of both parties.

"This election went really well," said Alberto Retana, the
newly-elected external vice president. "There was not very much
negative campaigning this year."

United Students members agreed issue-focused campaigning
contributed to higher voter turnout.

"I’m very proud of this election," said Ben Hofileña, a
United Student candidate for general representative. "The slates
this year were very mature and responsible and focused on the
students’ needs."

Current undergraduate President York Chang said he was pleased
with both the higher voter turnout and the election results.

"I hope Students First! will continue to work on the issues that
affect students," Chang said. "It’s hard work and a lot of
responsibility, but I’m sure that the Students First! can do it
­ the voters knew this and trust them to do this."

Other Students First! members expressed confidence in the
mandate that voters gave them.

"I think it was very clear what students wanted ­ a student
government who will work on issues relevant to their daily lives,"
Du said.

Despite the overwhelming Student First! majority, each slate was
proud of their respective campaign. Unity and community among slate
members was strong and prominent this year, students said.

"Everybody really came together in this election," said Kristen
Montet, a United Student candidate for general representative.
"Even if I didn’t win, I came out with a wonderful family."

This morning’s announcement, came after a long and tense
two-hour delay. More than 400 students eagerly awaited the results
in Westwood Plaza ­ the three slates remaining separate
throughout the ordeal.

Students First! members formed unity circles and sang, "We are
the students, the mighty, mighty students." Music blared from
stereos as the group, clad in matching red shirts, danced and gave
each other words of encouragement.

"This is a very positive community and I’m glad I’m a part of
it," said Glenn Inanaga, the newly elected internal vice
president.

On the other side of the Plaza, United Students members sat in
groups watching members of the Students First! slate, cheering
periodically for their party.

"We are united here," said Matt Shapiro, Miller’s campaign
manager. "United Students fought a very hard and thorough campaign,
and I’m proud of the slate."

The only disappointing aspect of the evening for the Student
First! party came when they heard that voters had rejected the two
ballot referendums ­ one of which came directly from this
year’s council. Neither the $2 Voluntary Check-off Fee for the Los
Angeles Food Bank nor the University of California Students
Association and the United States Students Association referendum
passed.

But the failure to increase funding for the two student
associations was the only blemish on an otherwise perfect evening
for Students First!.

"Unfortunately, this just means that we will have to fight
harder to save students education," Du said. "But Students First!
is prepared to work on all educational issues and we, along with
the student body, will take back our education."

SCOTT O/Daily Bruin

Undergraduate President-elect John Du (left) rejoices in
Westwood Plaza this morning with Glenn Inanaga, who was elected as
next year’s undergraduate internal vice president.

See related photo essay

Voter turnout for this election exceeded last year’s
participation by 2,000 votes.

Share this story:FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
COMMENTS
Featured Classifieds
More classifieds »
Related Posts