After a Question Time that sparked discussion, an exciting campaign and a long and stressful week for candidates, the RGU: Union Student Election Results were announced yesterday at 3pm on Union Way.
After an emotional and exciting campaign, the new student leaders were announced yesterday, Friday 8th March, on Union Way at 3pm.
The results were presented by Kerry Beavers from NUS Scotland after voting closed at 2pm the same day. There was an impressive voting turnout of 1988, which is the second highest figure of voting turnout in the RGU elections.
Ms Beavers then went on to announce RGU Union’s new Vice Presidents (VPs);
For the role of VP Wellbeing and Equal Opportunities, Sam Thiesen was elected with 501 votes.
Dugbatey Teye was elected for VP International with 699 votes.
Martha Gilmore was re-elected for as VP of Societies with 508 votes.
For the final VP role, Otto Jutila was elected with 554 votes as VP of Environment and Ethics.
The President roles were then announced:
First to be announced was the role of President of Sports and Physical Activity and Gavin Rittoo was elected with 841 votes. Gavin was then invited to the mic to say a few words: “I’d like to say thanks to everyone that voted and everyone who helped campaign. Well done to Nicole and Johannes as well, it was a very good campaign. Thanks everyone.”
For President of Education and Welfare Adam James Johnston was elected with 504 votes. He was also invited to the mic: “Thanks to everyone who voted and got engaged its been a real fun experience chatting to everyone. I hope to make the uni better in terms of mental health and fighting gender-based violence. Thanks very much guys.”
Finally, Michael Ife was re-elected as President of Communications and Democracy with 881 votes. He was also elected for the role of Undergraduate Governor with 524 votes. Michael simply said: “Thank you everyone for voting, thank you.”
The Union was filled with a mix of excitement, disappointment and relief as the candidates could finally go home for a well-deserved rest. Our new student leaders will begin their training soon and get planning for their oncoming year in office.
Michelle Collie, General Manager of the Union told Radar: “I’m delighted with the result with it being the second highest in the 12 years I have been here. There has been a real buzz across campus and the candidates have worked so hard this week.”
In amongst the excitement and the hugs of celebration or consolation Radar managed to speak to some of our new student leaders to see how they were feeling now the campaign was over.
The new President of Education and Welfare, Adam Johnston said: “Relieved! It was a lot of long nine till five, stressful days. It’s nice it’s over, but, I’m excited to get started. It was a fantastic campaign from the other candidates.”
Re-elected VP of Societies, Martha said: “I’m really keen to get stuck into another year and improve things for the societies of RGU.”
Newly elected VP of Wellbeing and Equal Opportunities, Sam Thiesen, said she was: “happy and excited for the training, excited for the opportunity to make changes happen.”
Finally, Otto Jutila said he felt great about being elected as the new VP of Environment and Ethics and added: “I will aim to follow on with my promises.”
Congratulations to all our new Student Leaders and well done to all the candidates who took part in the elections. It will be exciting to see the work that will be carried out in the next academic year.
To find out more information, or watch the livestream of the event click here: https://www.rguunion.co.uk/news/article/6013/Student-Elections-2018-The-Results/