Weeks of campaigning and a runoff election ended Wednesday when the USG announced the new Class of 2009 officers: president Grant Bermann will serve as president, Al D'Amato as vice president, Grace Clawater as secretary, Phil Chacko as treasurer and Erin Mesdagsocial chair.
Voting for the election began Sunday at noon, but all five positions were decided in a runoff election on Tuesday. Fifty-one percent of the freshman class voted in the first election, and 50 percent voted in the runoff.
D'Amato said he was excited about his new role and the chance to plan social events.
"The job of the class government here really is to bring people together, hold parties, facilitate meetings, help people enjoy themselves and meet other people," he said. "We really do have the opportunity to have fun and go crazy."
The presidential contest, which started with 13 candidates, was marked by controversy. Casey Ford Alexander '09 was disqualified for campaigning before the official start date and for putting table tents in residential colleges without appropriate permission. Alexander declined to comment.
Candidates who ran against each other expressed respect for their opponents, regardless of whether they won or lost.
Jake Bornstein '09, who lost to Bermann, said, "Grant launched a really great, organized campaign. I'm sure he's going to do a great job as president."
Bermann's campaign focused on getting in direct contact with students.
"We didn't rely on posters. I just got out and met people, and I think that people are more willing to vote for someone that they've talked to," Bermann said, adding that Bornstein was a good opponent. He "really wasn't expecting to win," he said. "Jake was a good opponent. I wouldn't have felt bad if I lost to him."
Ankur Patel '09, who ran for treasurer but lost to Chacko in the runoff, said he is still glad that he decided to run. "I had a great time campaigning," Patel said. "I had the chance to meet many people I probably wouldn't have had a chance to meet over the course of the freshman year."
D'Amato also said that meeting new people was the best part of the campaign. "I met a lot of people campaigning, but I'm just starting to meet people in the class," he said.
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