Smith '09 emerges from tight election

Author: Samantha Michaels

Bobby Joe Smith III '09 secured the Student Government Association (SGA) presidency on April 25 after last week's run-off election against Hiba Fakhoury '09. His victory marked the culmination of a particularly exciting race, with elections splitting into two rounds in light of the record number of students contending for the SGA's prominent position.

Smith and Fakhoury emerged as finalists two weeks ago when none of the 10 SGA presidential hopefuls managed to receive 50 percent of the votes, forcing the run-off between the top two candidates. According to Max Nardini '08, the current SGA president, almost 1,200 students followed up in the second round of polls, which opened online April 24 and closed the next afternoon at 12:30 p.m. The run-off election was extremely close, with Fakhoury and Smith receiving 49.28 percent and 50.72 percent of votes, respectively.

Following the results, Smith and Fakhoury both reflected on the campaign process. In an e-mail interview, Fakhoury expressed an overall positive impression.

"I think the election process this year was the best Middlebury has seen in a long time," wrote Fakhoury. "I am a strong believer in the free market mechanism, and competition is certainly beneficial for our community. I think in a way it got people talking about the SGA more than they have in past elections [that] didn't last as long, or did not provide that much competition. As a result, I noticed a lot more involvement from the student body in the process and I am looking forward to seeing that continue next year."

Though Smith admitted that an inadequate flyer-based communication system and the absence of a candidate debate created some campaign obstacles, he echoed Fakhoury's general sentiment.

"I really enjoyed the elections," said Smith. "I liked the amount of options that the student body had. Nobody far and away took this election. And I think that was a good thing, not a bad thing. We had a lot of strong candidates and that only helps the student body as far as I'm concerned."

Still, Smith was glad to win. When asked how he felt upon learning the final results, he sighed, laughed and said, "Well, it was a relief, obviously…after working so hard to get elected. Really, though, [the election] was only the first step. There's going to be a lot of work coming, but with great opportunity comes great responsibility. It's time now to get to work."

Indeed, Smith has already begun making preparations for his presidency, focusing especially on assembling his future cabinet.

"I realize that a big part of being a leader is making sure you surround yourself with competent and capable people," he explained, "and making sure that they're organized and on track." Smith is trying to speak with potential aides both inside and outside of the SGA. "I just want people who I feel have the personal characteristics and the experience of working with the administration and working closely with the students - [the people] who have demonstrated in the past that they can fulfill necessary aspects of my initiatives," he said.

Smith also currently continues to push for his Freedom of (Booklist) Information Bill, which will be among his earliest concerns as SGA President next fall. Hoping to make book lists and syllabi available online before the start of each semester, he has joined other members of the SGA in negotiating with faculty and the Book Store. The SGA wants to come to a resolution before the end of the year so that the administration can begin implementing changes over the summer.

In addition, Smith will immediately start working for a more efficient communication system when he returns in the fall.

"It's necessary to better organize the communication on campus," he said. "We really feel that being able to mobilize the student body and have the student body's support is something that's very necessary in getting anything passed in SGA."

Smith expects to join forces with other SGA members and elected leaders to achieve these early initiatives. He cited a close relationship with newly elected Student Co-Chair of Community Council (SCCOCC) Antoinette Rangel '09.

"[Antoinette] is a close friend of mine," Smith explained. "She's done a lot in SGA already, and she's very capable in the position she's in. I think we both know that it's important to understand the desires of the student body so that we can represent them well, and overall, work as hard as we can to make sure that those wills are represented and heard in the administration."

He also plans to work closely with Fakhoury, who, despite her loss in last week's election, will assume a position as Chief of Staff - similar to a vice president - of Smith's presidential cabinet. Soon after the election results were released, Smith e-mailed Fakhoury to present the offer and she promptly accepted.

"Bobby and I will be meeting later today to discuss and combine our platforms so we would really make a difference," wrote Fakhoury in an e-mail on April 28. "I am very excited to be working with him and I believe that he and I will make a strong team. I am definitely very thankful for the experience. I know the results were very close and it only makes sense for us to do our best next year."

In the end, the highly competitive and exciting SGA presidential election has led to the collaboration and optimism of student leaders in what will hopefully translate into a promising and effective SGA team.