In an interview, Russell said this election was an opportunity and defining moment for the graduate and professional student body.

“This University needs to define what student self-governance looks like for graduate and professional students,” he said. “What currently exists is an organization operated by undergraduates where the needs, desires and wants of graduate and professional students are completely missing from the picture.”

The original ballot in the spring election had voters rank their preference in a list of three options. The choices were “Better Together,” which would make reforms but avoid a split; “Two for Two,” a separation between the governing bodies creating two student governments; or simply no change. The election resulted in "Two for Two" getting 50.2 percent of the vote, but since it needed two-thirds of the vote, it was not passed and no change took effect.

GPSF filed a lawsuit against the Board of Elections following this outcome, saying the language of the legislation was hard to understand and thus the outcome was unfair. UNC's Supreme Court decided to hold a re-election this fall. 

Russell said he requested the emergency meeting with Student Congress prior to the election this Friday to make sure that there is an even playing field between graduate and undergraduate student governance at UNC.

Simons said if Russell requested the meeting sooner, they would have been happy to discuss the possibility of making these changes. 

“I think there was a realization that they very well could not get the votes they need, so any changes to that could be beneficial, and I think they’re scrambling to try and make it work,” Simons said.

If "Two for Two" passes, Russell said it could give the graduate and professional students what they need.

“'Two for Two' celebrates a more inclusive, engaged, thoughtful and dynamic student body where graduate students are working hand in hand with undergraduates,” he said.

Simons said he personally does not agree with the splitting of student governance. He said he fears this could result in the student body losing their voice in governance to the administration.

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