BSM Elects President Through Runoff Vote

Reed, a biology major, is studying abroad in France this semester, but she was able to beat out junior Miriam Williams for the 2002-03 presidency.

Prior to leaving for France, Reed served on BSM's central committee during the fall semester of 2001.

The central committee acts as the BSM's board of directors and is composed of all committee chairmen and elected officials in the organization.

Reed's campaign centered on improving relationships between the BSM and various conservative groups on campus, said junior Jeremy Moore, subgroup coordinator of the central committee. He said Reed suggested implementing liaisons to student organizations like the College Republicans to foster better relations.

Reed also aims to implement an undetermined central theme for the BSM in the upcoming year, Moore said.

Williams, a junior international studies major, served on the BSM's central committee during 2000-01. Williams ran for BSM president last year, narrowly losing to current President Kristi Booker.

Williams' platform aimed to bring more diversity and inclusiveness to the BSM. She also campaigned on the idea of improving internal accountability in the BSM itself.

Moore said both candidates were very qualified to be BSM's next president.

"Both Miriam and Lindsay served on the central committee, and both are very dedicated to advancing the cause of BSM," he said.

Moore also noted that both candidates approached the position in a different matter, citing that Williams and Reed served under different administrations while on the central committee.

The voting for Wednesday's runoff election took place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Pit and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Chase Hall.

Booker said Reed garnered a "significant" percentage of Wednesday's vote. "I think Lindsay will be an excellent leader for the BSM," she said. "She has good things planned, and I am sad I won't be here to see them come to fruition."

The BSM's general election was held Feb. 28, with Reed and Williams advancing to the runoff. Junior Jasmine McGhee was eliminated in the initial election.

Only BSM members were allowed to vote in the elections. Booker said about 150 BSM members voted in Wednesday's runoff, down from about 200 of BSM's 600-plus members who voted in the Feb. 28 election.

The BSM also elected its vice president and co-treasurers in the first election. Junior Ranardo Pearsall was elected vice president, while junior Jontue' Hinnant and junior Natascha Neely were selected as co-treasurers.

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.