"I plan to continue with projects begun this year, such as the review of theme houses, meal plan options, more efficient registration for classes and parking issues," Oliveros-Larsen said.
"I also have begun to address reforming the dorm damage system, and would like to work with Dean Samuel Haynes, the Program Board and Social Council (SoCo) to make Amherst a more cohesive social environment and to encourage the greater campus community to make suggestions and requests for what they want, rather than leaving it to a handful of people," she continued.
Also running uncontested were Will Johnson '03, elected SGO treasurer and Student Finance Committee Chair, Zeeya Jamal '02, elected SGO recording secretary, and Jun Matsui '03, elected president of the rising junior class.
Oliveros-Larsen attributed the lack of contested races to overall satisfaction with the SGO among students. "People know we're kicking some major butt this year, and everyone who ran was qualified and committed to continuing that effectiveness next year," she said
In contested races, SGO Corresponding Secretary Amy Summerville '02 defeated Seth Birnbaum '02 for the office of SGO vice president with 64% of the vote, James Orraca-Tetteh '02 won the presidency of the rising senior class over John Frechette '02, and Blake Sparrow '04 was reelected president of the Class of 2004, over Kathryn Ann Kuchefski '04.
"The SGO really does have the ability to change the school," said Summerville. "I plan to respond to basic student needs. For example, making sure the administration is listening to student concerns about parking, seeing if we can get the games in the game room to be free for Amherst College students with ID's and working with FACE to get the student employment office operational. My long-range goals are more tenured faculty and sophomore housing. It is a lot to do in one year, but I think it's possible-and important."
Voter turn-out for this year's election went down sharply from last year. 788 students voted in last year's general election and 539 voted this year. Oliveros-Larsen cites the timing of the election as the explanation behind the apparent voter apathy. "I was disappointed at the voter turnout but realize that the election schedule this semester was heavily affected by its timing around spring break."
Summerville attributes the lack of interest in the election to the number of uncontested races. "The SGO borrowed laptops of election committee members to have in Valentine during lunch and dinner, so I'm not sure what else students need us to do to get them to vote," she said.