The results are in, the Fanshawe Student Union (FSU) has a new president as Jerry Thomas has been elected by students at Fanshawe College.
Over 21,000 students were eligible to vote, with only 4,215 votes cast for the presidential ballot. To qualify as a voter, students must be taking a full-time program on campus.
Thomas received 996 votes, which accounted for 23 per cent of the vote, while runner up Shadé Dias grabbed 784 votes.
New president of the FSU, Jerry Thomas (Credit: Dan McCracken)
“I haven’t been too interested in (the election), I haven’t really put enough time into seeing what’s around me. I’ve just been focusing on a lot of classes,” says Bobby Cheema, a student at Fanshawe College.
According to FSU officials, there was a 20 per cent increase in voter turnout compared to last year. Despite the increase, around 80 per cent of eligible voters did not participate.
“I did not vote in the presidential election,” says Paul Silva, student at Fanshawe College. “I did know there was one going on, but I didn’t think it really pertained to me specifically because I’m an apprenticeship student. I don’t think a lot of stuff that goes on with the council applies to us.”
Some students were excited to cast their vote and make sure they had their say on some important issues on campus.
“If you want to see any change, you’ve got to pick representation that aligns with that. Without a voice, nothing happens,” says Erin Sutherland.
Samuel Chapman, another student at Fanshawe College says it’s important to vote “because they advocate for student services and things we want to happen on campus.”
Fanshawe Students Samuel Chapman and Erin Sutherland (Credit: Dan McCracken)
A lot of the presidential platforms the candidates were focusing on were common issues that students have been echoing for over a year. The cost of tuition fees, food insecurity, improving student services on campus, among several other issues.
The election campaign ran from Feb. 24th to March 5th, with students able to vote online or in person from March 2nd to March 5th. Jerry Thomas was announced as the winner at Forwell Hall in Fanshawe College in front of a crowd of cheering supporters.
“I really love the support students have shown. It’s a mixed feeling right now. I’m nervous, but happy. All the hard work has finally paid off,” says Thomas.
One thing Thomas wants to focus on during his presidency is to encourage more students to vote and participate in upcoming elections.
“That was one of the challenges I saw, students were neglecting to vote.”
Thomas is an international student who grew up in India and came to Canada in 2023 and has been studying Business Management at Fanshawe College.
