SA announces election results
One day after results were set to be released, Trevor Tobey was elected as the next Student Association president. He received 74.7% of first-place votes against write-in candidate Callum Flemister, who received 17.4% of votes.
A Hanzen College junior and former SA Parliamentarian, Tobey ran on a platform of increasing initiative fund money, supporting cultural clubs and providing $10 printing credits to students.
“First and foremost, I give all glory to Jesus Christ — without Him, I wouldn’t be here,” Tobey wrote in an email to the Thresher. “I am also deeply grateful to my family, friends, campaign team, Jae, the student leaders who supported me, and, most importantly, the students of Rice.”
A Duncan College junior, Flemister ran on a platform of accessible study spots, engaging the student body and improving communication between administration and students.
1,375 students voted in the election for a voter turnout of 29.02%, a sharp decrease from last year’s turnout of 42.09%.
Sohani Sandhu secured the internal vice president position in a race against Ananya A. Nair. Sandhu, a McMurtry College junior, took 52.9% of first-place votes, while Nair, a McMurtry freshman, claimed 42%.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to put my plans into action and for the support I have received thus far from the student body — I am excited to serve you all,” Sandhu wrote in an email to the Thresher.
Mahtab Dastur will serve as the next external vice president after Lajward Zahra dropped out of the race, and Jackson Darr will serve as the next treasurer. Both ran uncontested races, with Darr being added after the treasurer application was extended and amidst ballot confusions.
As the Secretary ballot had no candidate, the position will move to a special election by the SA.
The ballot also included five constitutional amendments, none of which passed due to their voter turnouts ranging from 15.9% to 19.02%. A minimum of 20% voter turnout for constitutional amendments is required by Article VIII, Section 2.2 of the SA constitution.
The author of amendments 1-4, Tobey attributed low turnout to the ballot issues during the election process.
“I am confident that, had the election gone smoothly, these amendments would have easily met the 20% turnout threshold,” Tobey wrote. “Moving forward, I am committed to ensuring these reforms are placed on the next special election ballot so that students have the opportunity to make their voices heard on these important issues.
Amendment #1 received 92.78% of votes in favor. The amendment would have changed the SA constitution to improve grammar, remove typos and clarify jargon.
Amendment #2 received 76.43% of votes in favor. The amendment would have enhanced the SA president’s power by implementing veto power over Senate bills, resolutions and amendments. It also would have given the SA “ultimate authority” over their own budget, the Blanket Tax and Blanket Tax Organizations.
Amendment #3 received 75.63% of votes in favor. The amendment aimed to increase financial transparency by removing two officers of blanket tax organizations from the blanket tax committee, replacing them with three SA senators. The amendment would have also raised the threshold for an organization to be added as a blanket tax organization from a majority to a two-thirds vote by the Senate.
Amendment #4 received 86.72% of votes in favor. The amendment clarified rules on campus elections and campus referenda. It removed the provision allowing the removal of elected officials outside of impeachment procedures, ensuring that candidates are removed according to formal impeachment policy. The amendment also standardized the process for initiatives and referendums.
Amendment #5 received 74.79% of votes in favor. The amendment would have raised the Blanket Tax from $85 to $90.
More from The Rice Thresher
Rice to support Harvard in lawsuit against research funding freeze
Rice, alongside 17 other research universities, requested a federal judge for permission to file an amicus curiae brief in support of Harvard University’s lawsuit against the Trump administration over more than $2 billion in frozen research grants.
Mayor Whitmire discusses ‘the state of Houston’ between audience protests at Baker Institute
John Whitmire’s remarks on the city’s budget, transportation and infrastructure were interrupted twice by shouts from audience members at a Baker Institute event May 29. At the event, which was open to the public, Whitmire spoke about the current state of Houston alongside former county judge Ed Emmett.
Rice reaffirms support for international students after Trump administration targets Harvard
Rice and the Office of International Students and Scholars said in a May 23 email that they are monitoring the Trump administration’s actions towards Harvard to bar the school from enrolling international students. A federal judge temporarily halted the move less than 24 hours later.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.