Christy Farr and Samantha Singh
With almost 75 per cent of the votes, Ahmed Tahir will keep his position as Humber Student Federation (HSF) president for another year.
HSF unveiled the new student government in the K building at Lakeshore campus on Friday after polls closed.
“Feels great. I’m so glad that so many people voted,” Tahir said.
Voter turn out
This year a record number of students voted in the election. More than 7,000 students cast their ballots, which is 24.97 per cent of the student population. It is the highest number of votes in HSF history.
“It’s fantastic. It just shows the candidates that they’re putting work in and making students care,” Tahir said.
Tahir also added that things aren’t going to get better unless HSF and students work together, and that he’s looking forward to growing with HSF.
Tahir won’t be the only returning face on HSF for the 2016-2017 school year. Two other candidates were also re-elected.
Ammar Abdul-Raheem will return as vice president of student life at North campus.
“It feels just as amazing and just as new as last year. To know that students still care about someone that goes up to them and talks to them about issues,” Abdul-Raheem said.
Anna Bilan will also keep her position as Vice President of Student Affairs for Humber’s Lakeshore campus.
“During voting period, many students came to me and said ‘Anna we know it’s going to be you’.”
New executive position
Maja Jocson was elected as Vice President of Student Affairs of Guelph-Humber, a brand new position in HSF.
She was overcome with emotion after hearing her election announcement.
Jocson looks forward to representing Guelph-Humber and bridging the gap between Guelph-Humber and the rest of the student body.
Jocson’s previous experience comes from the Guelph-Humber Student Association as Vice President of Activities.
“I think I have the experience to make this position a really great one to start off at least,” Jocson said.
Her first course of action is to make students more aware of what HSF has to offer.
Focus on mental health
Leading up to the elections, the disqualification of the third presidential candidate, Mikkie Decker, highlighted the importance of mental health awareness.
Decker was dismissed and stripped of her role as Vice President of Student Affairs because she didn’t meet the HSF academic requirements.
Newly elected Vice President of Student Affairs, Lance Constantine, said he and Decker shared the same passion for mental health support for students.
“It’s almost like a pass of the baton…as far as vision and understanding of what we would like to do for students,” Constantine said.
Not all is lost
Presidential runner up Joel Caldarola said he is grateful for the campaign experience.
“Everyone who was running had such great ideas. My hope is that the people who did win…and who were successful, I hope they take on some of those ideas.”
Caldarola added, “maybe Ahmed can take some of the stuff that resonated with me…that would be really great to see.”
As for re-elected president Tahir, he says he will be even more involved next year.
“Get ready! I will come at you all the time, and talk to you. So you’re going to get sick of me.”
HSF executives will begin their terms as of May 1, 2016.
HSF 2016-2017 Executives
President: Ahmed Tahir
NORTH CAMPUS:
Vice President of Student Life: Ammar Abdul-Raheem
Vice President of Student Affairs: Lance Constantine
Board of Directors: Osman Beyle, Muhammad Gill, Markus Laanes, Roxanne Smith
LAKESHORE CAMPUS:
Vice President of Student Life: Jason Gool
Vice President of Student Affairs: Anna Bilan
Board of Directors: Niko Capriotti, Robert Ledger, Nadine Sutherland
ORANGEVILLE:
Board of Directors: Daniel Roque
GUELPH-HUMBER:
Vice President of Student Affairs: Maja Jocson
Board of Directors: Emma Kelly