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ASMSU selects Office of the President after two late-night Zoom calls

April 17, 2020
ASMSU holds a general assembly meeting on Feb. 27, 2020.
ASMSU holds a general assembly meeting on Feb. 27, 2020. —
Photo by Jack Falinski | The State News

After 18 total hours of elections over the course of two days, the Associated Students of Michigan State University, or ASMSU, have elected their Office of the President for the 57th General Assembly Session. 

President

With 21 votes, international relations and comparative cultures and politics junior Abii-Tah Bih will serve as the next student body president winning over candidate Dylan Catalano.

Vice President for Finance and Operations

Economics junior Jordan Polk was elected as VP for finance and operations with 31 votes against candidate Kyle Biel. The election was tabled to night two of elections. Candidate Noah Skrok withdrew from the race before the election. 

This past year Polk served as ASMSU’s controller, or chief financial officer and, and was previously assistant controller.

“Now more than ever the student body needs to adapt to an everchanging academic situation," Polk said. "That doesn't just mean adapting our methods of outreach but also our methods of academic and financial support. So my plan as VPFO is to adapt our services to the needs of students whether virtual or in person."

Polk highlighted the need to reevaluate the services they are spending money on in these unprecedented times in order to provide the services students need most right now and if classes remain online in the fall.

Vice President for Academic Affairs

After the nine-hour presidential election, the General Assembly, or GA, reelected social relations and policy junior Brianna Aiello as VP for Academic Affairs. She ran unopposed. 

Vice President for Governmental Affairs

Political science junior Maysa Sitar was re-elected as VP for governmental affairs with 22 votes against Georgia Frost. After serving on the GA since her freshman year, Sitar was elected VPGA midway through her sophomore year and has served in the position ever since.

"My passion for VPGA is more than simply surface level propensity for government or political science major," Sitar said. "My passion for civic engagement stems from the fact that I know not everyone has the opportunity to participate. We are both the watch dogs and the beneficiaries of our own democracy."

She hopes to continue her voter registration initiative for the 2020 election as well as implementing a website for the governmental affairs department that students can use for resources.

Vice President for Internal Administration

International relations junior Nora Teagan was re-elected as VP for internal administration. She also ran unopposed.

Vice President for Student Allocations

Social relations and policy junior Dylan Catalano was re-elected as VP for Student Allocations with 25 votes. This was the most contested race this year with candidates Kyle Biel and Chris Eyke. Noah Skrok also withdrew from this election.

Although he was not elected president, Catalano said he believed that was for a reason, and he does not want one election to stop him from making a positive impact.

"I have never claimed, nor will I ever claim to be a perfect person and it is never within my intentions to strive to be. I am flawed, and I make mistakes as everybody does," Catalano said. "However, I stand by the work that I showed up every single day to do on behalf of the student body in my role as the VPSA, and I stand by the mentality that I showed up with every day at work this previous year, not to prove that I was the best but just to prove that I was better today than I was the day before."

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In this coming year, Catalano hopes to work on the representation of the Student Allocations Board by reaching out to all colleges and the Council of Racial and Ethnic Studies and Council of Progressive Students groups.

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