Iskander wins decisive re-election victory

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by Peggy Lai

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Wiess College junior Maryana Iskander swept Tuesday's Student Association presidential elections race.

Out of a total of 1,362 votes cast in the race, Iskander obtained 809, which corresponded to 59.4 percent of the vote. She was followed by Baker College sophomore Hrishikesh Lotlikar with 10.8 percent of the vote.

"I think the entire campaign was never framed as re-election, but for the job next year and not just what I've done in the past," Iskander said. "I feel really good winning with that personal understanding. I think a lot of people spoke out and supported me, and I really appreciate that.

"I feel like the SA made some improvements this year, and not everybody knows that. But I still think we have a lot to do. One thing is to make sure as many people as possible know what's going on. For everybody's information, SA meetings are Monday evenings at 10 [p.m.] in Kelley Lounge," Iskander said.

Iskander's plans for next year include better energy conservation and lighting, facilitating the rollover of meal plans and improving aspects of the curriculum such as redesigning foundation courses and broadening the scope of environmental education. She also hopes to work with the other candidates on the good ideas they had.

"I thank the people who knew how dedicated I've been this last year. It's been hard work, but I wouldn't do it again if I didn't think I could do a better job next year," Iskander said.

Lotlikar said, "Congratulations to Maryana in winning. I think the students made a good choice, and I hope to see a lot of great things come out of the SA next year."

Sid Richardson College junior George Hatoun said, "Maryana had great name recognition and a good record to run on." Hatoun was also a presidential candidate.

"I ran for SA president because I had some new ideas and I saw a number of problems in our SA, and I had differences with Maryana on the way that the SA and the [SA] Senate conducted its business," he said.

However, Hatoun also congratulated Iskander on her victory.

"I think that she will do a very good job in her second term as president, and I wish her the best of luck," he said.

WRC junior Mo Bawa, another presidential candidate, expressed disappointment at student response and the election process.

"I think the attitude of the Rice students and problems with the entire political process should be evaluated and dealt with," he said.

"This will ensure that the activities of the SA are not just to renew itself annually but to help students' views be better represented."

Bawa also expressed concern at the way votes were tallied.

"I think a more formal, business-like setting for counting votes is necessary. The votes I saw being counted were at the Pub where the lighting is poor and alcohol is served. This may yield an error in tallying the results," Bawa said.

In response to the election results, Will Rice College senior and presidential candidate Jeff Halladay said, "Bacon."

Though Halladay declined to comment further, his campaign manager Harry White, also a WRC senior, said, "As a student, it's a real shame many posters were ripped down which were not improperly put up. This is a very sad remark on Rice politics, that students feel the need to cheat to win."

Todd Haskins and Stephe Gallagher, the other candidates for SA president, were not available for comment.

"I'm excited," Erika Windham, one of the two elected co-presidents of the Rice Program Council, said.

Windham said her goals for next year will be to "continue what the RPC is doing and perhaps improve and expand."

Also, since the RPC was restructured this year, Windham hopes to get together the old council to evaluate the new system.

Teddy Kapur, the newly elected chair for the Rice Student Volunteer Program, was not available for comment.

"The ballot counting went very smoothly this year, thanks to the participation we had and the ballot counters' efficient work. We were done in record time," current SA Secretary Laura Moodey said.

Ruthfield agreed.

"I will say that the elections ran very smoothly this year; we were out about three hours earlier than usual, and there were no serious problems in counting," Ruthfield said.

Ruthfield was impressed by the turnout, which was approximately 54.2 percent.

"That's significantly higher than almost any other university in the nation," Ruthfield said of the number of ballots. Figures on the number of undergraduates for the spring semester were not available from the Registrar's Office, but 2,656 students were registered for the fall semester.

This item appeared in the News section of the March 1, 1996 issue.

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