Freshman ambitions spawn a series of runoffs with emphasis on class unity

Elections results for the Class of 2006 were announced yesterday evening, but four of the class's five seats have yet to be decided. Of the 26 freshmen vying for class leadership positions, eight students received enough votes to move on to runoffs.

In the only freshman election resolved without a runoff, Misha Renda '06 was elected to serve her class as treasurer. A second round of voting will begin today at noon to fill the class president, vice president, secretary and social chair positions.

In the race for freshman class president, Christopher Lloyd '06 will face Frances Schendle '06. Both candidates expressed excitement and gratitude about the possibility of being the lead representative of their class.

"I am completely ecstatic," Schendle said. "I sort of came to Princeton hoping to do student government, so I'm really happy that I may end up having the opportunity to do it."

Schendle said she did not run on any specific platform because she sees the office of freshman class president as being primarily a social position. Viewing her role in that light, she hopes to unify her class.

"I think the goal for any freshman class president has to be to unite the freshman class," she said. "So, I want to plan activities that will bring people together."

Lloyd also said class solidarity is one of his objectives.

"My primary goal is to unify our class, to develop a strong sense of class unity for 2006," he said. "As freshmen, we have four years ahead of us and lots of time to impact the Princeton community and the school a-round us."

Erin Ebbel '06 and Nik-hil Rao '06, who is a Princetonian contributor, will compete in the runoff for the vice presidency. Neither could be reached for comment.

Amanda Chi '06 will vie for the position of social chair against Emily Arensman '06. Arensman, whose sister is a U-Councilor, expressed a goal of both candidates when she said she hopes to do more than simply fulfill her secretarial obligations.

"Basically, I hope to fulfill my duties as secretary, but I'm also hoping take an active part in the five-member cabinet," she said. "My main goals are class cohesiveness and sharing roles with the rest of the cabinet."

Chi said, "I'm more excited about just being a class officer, being able to talk to people and get their ideas."

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Jackie Lasaracina '06 and Lauren Lyon '06 will face off for the title of social chair. Lasaracina said she hopes to get input into social events from all corners of the class.

"I really want to find out what they are thinking about and help them realize the things they have been thinking about," she said. "I want to help the student body be as vocal as possible."

Inclusion of all class members was a theme Lyon voiced as well.

"I am hoping to find a niche for everyone," she said. "I am basically looking at doing stuff that hasn't been done before. I want to get the people who stay in their room and play computer games out, but I also want to cater to the kids who go out to the 'Street.' "

USG President Nina Langsam '03 noted the enthusiasm of this year's freshman candidate pack but said she was especially pleased with its diversity.

"I think we had a very diverse group of people in terms of gender, ethnicity; there were international students," Langsam said. "I think every subset of the University was represented."

Voting in the runoff elections for Class of 2006 ends Thursday at noon.