Shannon Harris, an elementary education junior, was elected Black Student Union president yesterday in an election that had only 172 ballots cast.
There will be a run-off between the two top vice presidential candidates: Derrik Petit, a political science and history sophomore, and Erica Washington, a biological sciences junior, on March 30 — the same day as Student Government elections.
The run-off will be open to all full-time students.
Results were announced last night at the African American Culture Center at 7 p.m. — 10 students gathered to hear the results.
Harris said she wants to begin working on membership and programs now so the group is not rushing in the fall.
“I see a lot of work,” she said. “We’ll start planning now.”
On a campus with 2,406 black students registered in the fall of 2004, members are determined to increase voter turn out for the run-off.
“I was disappointed in the voter turn out,” said Steve Brockington, a communication studies senior. Brockington, who worked at the polls yesterday said he thought more white students voted then black students in the election.
Derrick Petit said he is going to “pick it up a notch” in his campaigning for the run-off.
He said he thinks voter turn out will be increased but is concerned because the election is being held on the same day as SG elections.
“It’s going to be a little bit harder to get people to vote,” he said.
Wesley Bayas, a political science senior who did not qualify for the run-off, said he is going to begin campaigning for Petit.
“I’m disappointed,” he said. “I thought we would have 300 people.”
Erica Washington was not at the election results for comment.