(Mitchell Richtmyre / Fourth Estate)
New representatives reload depleted Undergraduate Representative Body
BY LAMIA GAMIL, STAFF WRITER
Mason’s Undergraduate Representative Body has filled more than 12 vacant seats following a special election held late last month. The election has restored the Student Government to its minimum membership requirement.
Student body voting was conducted via Mason360 and closed Friday, Nov. 21. The special election was called after more than ten representatives resigned since the government was sworn in on May 1, leaving the body at risk of falling below its mandated threshold of 31 members.
The newly elected representatives will serve on committees including the Academics, Diversity & Multicultural Affairs committee, and the Services and University Life committee to shape student-focused policy and campus initiatives throughout the year.
The at-large category had the most participation in the election. Robin Washburn led the field with 69 votes, followed by Pranav Choudhary — a write-in candidate — with 61. Sky Robertson received 57 while ten other candidates were elected with at least five votes.
Other write-in candidates also joined the body, including Presley Macgregor-Rodriguez, Owynn Wise and Trevor Tharp.
Alongside the general student body, each academic college elects their own representative. Every student has the opportunity to elect these members, no matter their college.
Each academic college seat has the same amount of voting power in the Undergraduate Representative Body.
The Schar School of Policy and Government’s new representative is Skylar Ringo, who received 37 votes. The Costello College of Business will be represented by Maximillian Archie, who received five votes.
Alqasem Hasan, who received five votes, will represent the College of Engineering and Computing. The College of Visual and Performing Arts will be represented by Evelyn Johnston, a write-in candidate who received one vote. The College of Public Health elected Amani Banks with three write-in votes.
The newly elected Undergraduate Representative Body will now move forward with committee assignments and legislative responsibilities after replenishing their numbers.
