Votes (1,294 in total) are in, election controversies continue

Cheers erupted as presidential candidate Jake Beus was announced on April 6 as the 2007-08 student body president of Weber State University. "I am stoked," Beus said. "Two years ago I wouldn't have imagined this in a million years to be honest. But I think windows have opened, and I have taken advantage of those. I feel like I could really do a lot for this university. No, I didn't see this coming, but I am glad it did." Beus received a total of 797 votes, while his opponent, Brad Wahlstrom, obtained 385 votes. In total, seven percent of WSU's student body voted in this year's elections. "I feel that the election went well," said WSU Spanish sophomore Melissa Millward. "Most of the people that should have won, did win fairly." Beus said his first task as WSU's president elect would be to help appoint students to the vacant senator, leadership and cabinet positions. Beus said he is looking forward to selecting a great team to work with him throughout his presidency, and he encouraged all WSU students to submit their applications for the available positions by next Friday. Current WSU Student Body President Peter Owen said he had mixed feelings about stepping down from his position. "I am really happy for Jake," Owen said, "and I am just trying to figure out how I can be involved next year because I want to stay involved. I'll probably volunteer or something." Although Brad Wahlstrom, the other presidential candidate, said he had no plans to continue as the BIS/Honors senator, but hopes to take a spot within the clubs and organizations area of student government. "This will be it for me," Wahlstrom said, "but it is always a pleasure to serve Weber State, and I am here for the glory of Weber State." Dan Schwab, the new clubs and organizations vice president, said playing an active role at WSU since the first day of his college career has made all the difference. "I loved to be involved," Schwab said. Schwab said he plans to help more students get involved by informing them about what activities are happening, and to assist the clubs and organizations on campus in creating a more effective marketing plan. "A lot of people don't come to activities and get involved," Schwab said, "not because they don't want to necessarily, but a lot of times they just do not know what is going on." Next year's College of Health Senator Drew Durtschi said he ran for senator because he wanted to reduce the lack of enthusiasm toward WSU, and to eliminate students uttering the phrase, "I am just going to Weber." Durtschi said he hopes to instill more school pride in WSU students as he carries out his new senator position. "We have some really great programs," Durtschi said, "especially in the college of health professions." Angela Perkins, the 2007-08 events vice president, said even though she was running uncontested for her position, she still went through the rigorous campaign process in order to earn the support of the student body. "It got ugly," Perkins said. "I'll be honest, I didn't have a really good experience one of the days. But I think once we get over this, and looking at how people just showed up tonight, I think involvement will start to grow and we'll get more people active." While several grievances were filed and many violations were committed throughout this year's elections, WSU Elections Chair Dennis Miller said he felt the elections had turned out the way they should. "We had good candidates, have a good race and play a good game," Miller said. "This is what it is all about. Student involvement and leadership are running for something, doing a good job, and an honest job running for that position, and then getting it." In addition to electing candidates for student government, WSU students also voted on and approved Initiative RF07-01. The initiative will cut the number of vice president positions in half, and create three new vice president positions. The new positions will include a vice president of programming, a vice president of the campus, community and diversity, and a legislative vice president. The initiative will not affect this year's elections, but will begin with the 2008-09 election year. Wahlstrom summed up the announcement night's activities as the "culmination of a long journey." "This is the apex of all the efforts given by the candidates," Wahlstrom said. "We're here to have fun, and support student government at the same time."

You can reach reporter Heather Carter by calling 626-7655.