Patriot Talon

University students elected David McAlpin as Student Government Associate Treasurer, a position on the executive council, in an unprecedented summer election.

McAlpin won the June 18 election with a total of 31 votes out of 42 total. He ran against Keeley Barr, who received nine votes.

McAlpin, 20, a sophomore in business management, has held no previous position in SGA office, but was a senator in 2007 and 2008.

McAlpin could not be immediately reached for comment.

The summer election was due to SGA councilmember Rene Hernandez winning both parliamentarian and treasurer seats in the original spring election. Hernandez conceded the treasurer spot, leaving runner-up David McAlpin as treasurer.

However, McAlpin, who previously served as a senator, started his term late, never completing the prerequisite full term of SGA service needed to be an executive council member, then SGA parliamentarian Sam Carrell said.

The SGA bylaws’ clause prohibiting senators with incomplete terms from running for officer positions is unclear, SGA president Kerrie Ambort said.

“The way it reads it can be interpreted in different ways,” she said. “We’re going to work this year to make it clear. It’s never been a problem before this year.”

Some SGA senators questioned the legitimacy of the summer election, but SGA president Kerrie Ambort said it was perfectly legal within SGA bylaws.

“Technically we can do it because we’re in session, we’re holding meetings,” she said.
The SGA treasurer maintains the financial records of the SGA, turns in a biannual budget to the Patriot Talon, and a full year budget to Chief Student Affairs Officer.