Lopez-Young, Stevens, Pandjiris win Senate seats

More than 700 students vote

First-year Amy Pandjiris didn't think she had much chance of winning one of three hotly contested Student Senate seats. After all, she only knew "about eight people." Turns out, eight was enough.

Pandjiris, first-year Kara Stevens and Double-degree junior Adriana Lopez-Young were named the victors in the first Student Senate race conducted exclusively by e-mail. Seven hundred and thirty-one students exercised their right to vote, a marked increase from earlier mid-term elections.

"The election was very competitive," said Aaron Slodounik, senator sophomore. "It was a pretty exciting election."

Eleven students competed for the three seats vacated by resignations. Voters were allowed to vote for as many as three candidates. College sophomore Amy Wolfe said the Student Senate Candidate debate, sponsored by the Review, "cleared things up" for her when she voted.

"I wanted to go to the debate because it was the best way to get to know the potential senators," Wolfe said. "It was an easy decision after the debate."

The race was almost too close to call. There was no runaway winner in this contest, distinguished by heavy campaigning and even heavier voter participation. Lopez-Young nabbed first place with 225 votes. Pandjiris took 224 votes, and Stevens narrowly edged out college sophomore Brad Hayami with 222 votes.

Hayami's 216 votes were not quite enough to earn him a permanent position in Wilder 222. Hayami characterized the loss as a temporary set-back.

"I got close," Hayami said. "I'll run again. I mean, whatever. I'll be back."

College junior Jake Cogen said he is disappointed that he did not win. "I was amazed at how close the result were," Cogen said. "Of course, I'm a little upset that I lost." Cogen said he also plans to run again. "I thoroughly enjoyed campaigning, and I'll hopefully win next year," Cogen said.

Lopez-Young's campaign centered aroung her being the only candidate from the Conservatory.

"I'm glad to see that both Conservatory and College students felt it was important for a Connie to represent them," Lopez-Young said.

Stevens said she is excited about being elected to office. "I'm ready to put my theories and thoughts into action," Stevens said. "It's just a good feeling that people believed in what I said and chose me to be someone to represent them."

First-year Rianna Brown placed first in a projection poll conducted by the Review. Brown said she thought her Senate campaign was a positive experience.

"I didn't see the projection poll until later, but it gave me hope," Brown said. "You assume your friends will vote for you and that will be enough, but it wasn't. But I'm happy for the people who won."

All of the 11 candidates were invited to a retreat this weekend. The new Senators will join the Senate on Sunday.

Pandjiris, who has never attended a Senate meeting, said she isn't sure what to expect.

Pandjiris said, "I was on student council in high school, so I guess it will be similar to that."

According to Thorner, at Sunday's retreat the newly elected senators will have the opportunity to meet the other senators, as well as faculty members and administrators they will work with in the near future.

Senator sophomore Sarah Stein Greenberg, who worked intensively on the election, said, "I really feel that the attitude of the candidates, the incredible number of voters and the speed in which we reached quorum conveys that we've reached a higher degree of legitimacy on this campus than ever before."

Stevens said she is excited about the retreat and about joining Senate. "I think I have the ability to change Oberlin in my own way," Stevens said. "I'm glad I have the opportunity to do that."