AS election names president, approves ESC expansion

The Associated Students’ elections came to a close at 2 p.m. April 29, with over 1,900 students participating in the vote, compared to the approximately 850 participants in last year's election. The new AS president will be junior Stephanie Cheng, after she won both the first and second rounds of voting. Cheng won the first round by 801 votes to James Molyneux-Elliot’s 595 and the second round by 1146 to his 747. “I'm incredibly honored to have been voted in as AS President and look forward to tackling student issues next year with the new board,” Cheng said in an email. The majority of students backed the referendum regarding the expansion of a Multicultural Center, with 1162 votes in support and 692 against. The center would add a fee of $30 to Western student’s tuition to aid the expansion. About 60 percent of the funding for the center’s expansion would be drawn from the $30 fee and used to increase the size of the Ethnic Student Center by five times. The remaining 40 percent of funding would be provided by “other funding sources,” according to the referendum. Cheng is a public relations major who has worked with the Family Outreach Program, the Western Front, and most recently the Presidential Search Advisory Committee. She said her professional background allows her to understand the values and missions of organizations she works with. “I think learning the structure of the AS is something that’s really important and it’s something that I have had knowledge of because of my experience with administration and working with different facets of student affairs,” Cheng said during a debate.

“I'm incredibly honored to have been voted in as AS President and look forward to tackling student issues next year with the new board.”

Junior Stephanie Cheng, incoming AS President

Cheng said she wants to create a safe space for students and increase transparency among the Associated Students. “AS is only effective with collaboration,” Cheng said during a debate. “I want to make the AS more accessible and come to you to listen to issues you’re passionate about.” Students were elected to six vice president positions, making up the AS Board of Directors. They will serve as a voice of the student body at AS Board meetings. The candidates elected to these positions are: Erick Yanzon, VP for Academic Affairs Mary Moeller, VP for Business & Operations Wayne Rocque, VP for Student Life Aleyda Cervantes, VP for Diversity Bryce Hammer, VP for Governmental Affairs Alex Lavallee, VP for Activities  

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