Ray Smeriglio, TU Believe inaugurated

Following the inaugural ceremony, the newly sworn in administration cut a decorative cake to celebrate the occasion. JOHN MORITZ | TTN

Ray Smeriglio was sworn in as the student body president for the upcoming 2014-15 academic year on Monday, May 5. Darin Bartholomew, the outgoing student body president, introduced Smeriglio and his administration in the inaugural ceremony that took place in room 200c of the student center.

“The three individuals we’re about to swear in here today, I have full faith that they will accomplish a ton next year and make us all very proud,” Bartholomew said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing everything that these guys will do.”

Students, faculty, staff and family members attended the event, many personally congratulating Temple Student Government members from both administrations after the meeting ended. Blair Alston and Julia Crusor, Smeriglio’s running mates and vice presidents, were first sworn in followed by Smeriglio.

“You don’t get to this point without awesome support emotionally, physically [and] psychologically,” Smeriglio said in his speech following his inauguration. “Thank you guys so much. You all mean the world to mean and I’m so excited to be your next student body president.”

Smeriglio, Alston and Crusor ran under the TU Believe ticket, which won by more than 200 votes over Renew TU. The elections, which took place on April 8 and April 9 online via Owl Connect, had relatively low voter turnout falling nearly 360 votes short of last year’s numbers and more than 900 below the year before that.

Smeriglio’s previous position was as TSG director of communications. He thanked his communications team in his speech, among other friends, coworkers and family members. Following the ceremony, the newly sworn in administration cut a decorative cake to celebrate the occasion.

Marcus McCarthy can be reached at marcus.mccarthy@temple.edu or on Twitter @marcusmccarthy6.

TU Believe win 2014 TSG elections

The results of the 2014 Temple Student Government elections were announced Thursday afternoon, and TU Believe won the leadership, defeating opponents Renew TU. Ray Smeriglio will take over as student body president beginning next semester, and his running mates, Julia Crusor and Blair Alston will serve as vice presidents.

“I had a small crying fit,” Crusor said of the victory. “This is something we really wanted for a long time.”

Rachel Applewhite, vice presidential candidate from Renew TU, said the loss was disappointing because her team worked very hard to win.

“I hope [TU Believe] will use some of our ideas going forward,” Applewhite said. “I would love to help out on TSG where I’m needed.”

A total of 1,716 votes were cast, according to a tally by TSG election commissioners. It was lower than the total from last year’s election, which counted 2,075 votes.

TU Believe won 961 votes, or 56%, and Renew TU received 755 votes, or 44%.

TSG election commissioner Dylan Morpurgo said the drop-in voter turnout meant TSG didn’t communicate as effectively as it could have to students.

“Voter turnout can always be higher,” Morpurgo said. “Because campus is so busy and diverse, people are not always connected to what’s going on.”

In other ways, Morpurgo said the election was an improvement. “Both teams made a really concerted effort to run a clean campaign,” he said. “The debates were very cordial. That wasn’t always the case in the past.”

Crusor said TU Believe has “big shoes to fill,” as they prepare to lead the student body in the fall.

Joe Gilbride can be reached at joseph.gilbride@temple.edu.

Tickets for 2011 TSG Elections Announced

TU Nation and Owl Future will be facing off in the 2011 TSG elections.

Both campaigns took full advantage of the web and went live at midnight to announce their candidacy. TU Nation has already launched a Twitter Facebook and website, while Owl Future has only launched a Facebook with plans to officially launch their website and other social media in the morning.

TU Nation (left to right) Colin Saltry, Elliot Griffin, Ugo Obilo

On the ticket for TU Nation are Colin Saltry, Senate President for TSG, candidate for TSG President; Elliot Griffin, Vice President of Temple College Democrats, candidate for Vice President of External Affairs; and Ugo Obilo, President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, candidate for Vice President of Services.

Owl Future

On Owl Future’s ticket are Malcolm M. Kenyatta, who ran last year under the Owls United ticket will be the candidate for President of TSG; Megan Chialastri, President of Temple College Democrats, candidate for Vice President of Services; and Amanda Miller, candidate for Vice President of External Affairs.

Elections will be held April 5th and 6th.

Setting the TSG tickets straight

In today’s March 30 issue of The Temple News, the candidates’ names’ and respective tickets beneath the photos of two Temple Student Government tickets are incorrect. The Temple News apologizes for this error. The tickets are: Break Thru TU: Damon Williams, Natalie Ramos-Castillo, Alex Shelow, Owls United: Maggie Thompson, Malcolm Kenyatta, Chanee Lay, TU360: Jessica Reed, Jamira Burley and Mark Fabbi. The captions to the photos accompanying “TSG candidates eagerly await April 6 elections” in today’s issue should read as follows:

Break Thru TU (left to right): Damon Williams, Natalie Ramos-Castillo, Alex Shelow

Owls United (left to right): Maggie Thompson, Malcolm Kenyatta, Chanee Lay

The caption for TU360 was correct and is as follows:

TU360 (left to right): Jessica Reed, Jamira Burley and Mark Fabbi