The Carleton Academic Student Government (CASG) councillor election concluded with 11 more councillors than last year, demonstrating students’ increased engagement in the organization.
The only contested seat resulted in a tie between the two candidates running to represent the Bachelor of Global and International Studies (BGInS) program.
Second-year students Francesca Lepore and Anthony Valenti each received 37 votes and 11 voters abstained. CASG will hold an in-council vote during their first meeting on Oct. 14 to elect the BGInS councillor.
CASG president Jennifer Ramnarine attributed the sole contested seat to the fact that many councillors are well-known and respected by staff and students for representing their programs.
“We typically have a student representative per program who that program trusts to fill that seat and this is why councillors are returning every year,” she said.
While there was only one contested seat, election results showed student engagement rose considerably from the previous year. The number of councillors increased from 45 councillors last year to 56 this year, bringing the total number of voting members in CASG council to 71 out of a possible 85.
Ramnarine said she was impressed by the turnout and increased engagement this year.
Vice president (internal) Dakota Livingston said she believes that the increase in filled seats is due to CASG’s successful efforts in building relationships with academic societies on campus over the summer.
Ramnarine added that CASG has seen increased attention and student involvement overall due to their successes over the pandemic, which include the passing of the compassionate grading measure and an increase in relief bursary funds.
This year’s council election marked the organization’s second fully virtual election in a row. Ramnarine said although CASG had to adapt to the shift to online elections through methods such as increased social media presence, the new format has removed barriers. It is now easier for CASG to reach students, especially given the quick election process.
“Through this virtual method, students can still continue to be informed,” Ramnarine said. “Which is even better because now we’re making sure that we’re also reaching international students and people who aren’t currently on campus.”
There are 15 vacant seats on council and Ramnarine said she expects these seats to be filled throughout the year as CASG executives reach out to academic societies at Carleton and vice versa.
“Even if we have just one more program represented in our council and our decision-making than we did before, that’s a success,” she said.
In the event that an eligible student—any student in good academic standing and enrolled in the program that they wish to represent—approaches CASG about a vacant spot in council, an in-council vote would take place rather than an open election with students in their respective program.
Looking forward, Ramnarine and Livingston expressed hope that future elections will remain respectful, cordial and professional as student engagement with the organization continues to grow.
