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The Rice Thresher
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by JULIE YAU-YEE TAM THRESHER STAFF Andrea Frolic, who was elected Graduate Student Association president Feb. 17, announced March 9 that she will not take the position due to family and academic obligations. A re-election was held yesterday evening. Results were not available at press time. "My decision to decline my election as GSA president was very difficult," Frolic, a third-year anthropology graduate student, said. "However, I have a 9-month-old baby and a partner who also has a demanding career. ... My family and my academic program have to take precedence." Frolic said she feels confident that whoever is elected president will maintain and expand the accomplishments she has made over the past few years as internal vice president and secretary of GSA. "I believe it is best for the GSA if I step aside to allow another student to take up the presidency who is prepared to devote the tremendous time and energy this position requires," Frolic said. Frolic said she will be available to consult with the new president and to assist with programs and events. "Andrea Frolic has contributed a great deal to the betterment of graduate student life at Rice. Now she plans to focus on her research. We all wish her well and send a big thank you," GSA adviser and English Professor Robert Patten said. Three declared candidates - Michael Casavant, Michael Hunt and Elle Marie Schollnberger - ran in the election yesterday, and any additional nominations were also accepted at the meeting. Votes were taken on paper ballots. All graduate students were encouraged to attend the meeting, but only 30 departmental representatives, chosen from each department on campus with a graduate program, are allowed to vote. The three declared candidates submitted written platforms to the representatives outlining their qualifications and goals. At the meeting, the GSA also presented changes to its constitutional bylaws. Passing the changes requires the approval of two-thirds of the representatives. Results were not available at press time. "The turnover from old to new candidates will still be April 1," outgoing president Julia Smith Wellner said. "We do not expect any gaps, delays or any other problems due to this special election." Casavant, a fourth-year physics student and Physics GSA president, said in his written platform that he wishes to continue to fight for better health care and clinic services, help make Valhalla a place for all graduate students, and foster a more open forum between GSA members and officers, among other goals. "My general desire is to improve the quality of life of my fellow graduate students," Casavant said. "Some possible areas for improvement are improving relations [and] cooperation between different departments and encouraging more widespread participation in GSA events," Hunt, a first-year Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management student and GSA treasurer-elect, stated in his platform. If Hunt is elected, there will be another election to determine his replacement. Schollnberger, a third-year doctoral student in geology and geophysics, emphasized the goal of the GSA to take the lead in pushing for improving and upgrading Health Services. She also said she will work to ensure Valhalla receives all necessary funding for renovations, increase graduate student participation in EMS and athletic events, and improve living standards in the Graduate Apartments. - back -
This document may be distributed electronically, provided that it is distributed in its entirety and includes this notice. However, it cannot be reprinted without the express written permission of: The Rice Thresher, Rice University MS-524, PO Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892, USA. The Thresher Online Project -- ethresh@listserv.rice.edu |
