BREAKING NEWS: Neubauer wins FUSA presidency

Kevin Neubauer, ’05, has made the FUSA elections historic again this year as he became the first rising junior to become FUSA president in the organization’s history Tuesday night at the Barone Campus Center.

The current FUSA president, Karen Donoghue, ’03, made history when she became the first female FUSA president in the 2002 elections.

Neubauer defeated Christopher Zeitz, ’04, by 167 votes with a 543-377 win. This year’s election marked the lowest voter turnout in 14 years, having only 974 voters coming to the polls.

“I am pumped,” said Neubauer seconds after hearing the results. “I want to thank everyone who helped me out along the way. I really can’t thank them enough.”

Zeitz gave his reactions soon after the results were given. “I wish everyone who won good luck. I congratulate them,” Zeitz said. “I hope that I can be of service to all of them in some way.”

“Kevin ran a great campaign,” Zeitz said. “It was uphill at some times for me, but I’m happy that I tried hard and it was definitely a good experience for me.”

Neubauer’s previous activities at Fairfield include being a 2005 two-term Class President, a lector and being a member of the S.K.I.L.L. Program.

In a written statement to the Mirror, Neubauer stated that he wanted to implement the following initiatives: make teacher evaluations available prior to registration, be an ear to the students and to hear what programs and events students want.

Neubauer also want to use the student art that is produced on campus as decorations, particularly in the Campus Center. He plans to work with Sodexho in an effort to communicate what the students would like to see in the dining areas. Neubauer also hopes to bring back the “Red Sea” to sporting events and looks to establish weeknight programming in addition to the existing weekend programming, which he hopes will make it more attractive in general.

“I plan to meet with students and survey them to determine where they want their programming money spent and what programming events they want on campus,” Neubauer stated in a letter to the Mirror.

Neubauer attributed his success to his running mate, Jillian Grant, ’05, who lost her campaign for VP of programming to Jeff Holland, ’04. However, the loss of posting privileges for Zeitz may have played a factor in the results.

“I feel like it probably played a factor,” Zeitz said. “Voter turnout definitely played a role. But since I lost by such a large amount, I’m sure there were a number of factors that contributed.”

Neubauer’s first requirement will be his training for the position of FUSA president. “There will be a six week training period,” said Steve Winkel, a graduate assistant and FUSA advisor. “He will work will Student Activities director, Kelli Rainey, Father Kelley, Mark Reed and Karen Donoghue.”

According to Winkel, the fact that Neubauer will be the first junior FUSA president will contribute little to his success. “The success will depend a lot on how [Neubauer] uses the training that will be offered,” Winkel said. “The foundation of the other FUSA positions will also contribute as well… choosing his cabinet will be crucial.”

“Karen Donoghue is a great leader,” Winkel added, “but she could not have done it without the people under her.”

Donoghue added her opinions on the election. “Everyone who was elected is going to do a great job,” Donoghue said. “Kevin has six weeks to become my best friend. He has at least two hours a week with me until his inauguration.”

“I feel bad for those who didn’t win,” Donoghue added, “because whoever put in the effort that all the candidates put in over the past two weeks deserves to win.”

According to Winkel, this year’s election went smoothly and was easier to tally because of the newly implemented way of tallying the write-in votes.

“I feel that with my experience as class president, a lector, member of S.K.I.L.L., and an FYE facilitator, as well as my work ethic, leadership ability and personality that I am the best candidate for this position,” Neubauer said.

“As a rising junior, I have an added advantage in that I will be here to enjoy the changes that I will make as well as be at a more versatile age to be in contact with students of all years.”

The last student to vote, Meghan Ryan, ’05, had her reactions about the elections this year. “I think that it is great that sophomores were running for positions otherwise held by upperclassmen,” Ryan said. “I think that they will do a great job and I feel that they sincerely want to make a difference here since they are getting into it so early.”

Neubauer was originally announced be working with the following people for the 2003-2004 academic year: Ryan Cantor, ’04, VP of senate, and Jeff Holland, ’04, VP of programming. However, due to an error switching the names of the VP of programming and VP of senate positions, a recount was announced and the two positions were announced to have a different winner.

Class officers were also elected on Tuesday.

Lauren DeSteno will be the president of the class of 2004, and will have Christina Picco as her vice president and Amanda Fisher as her treasurer.

Christopher McGee was voted the president of the class of 2005, and will have Brett Ritterbeck as his vice president and Charles Kehoe as his treasurer.

Steven Tyburski was elected the president of the class of 2006, and will have Ashlee Fox as vice president and Lou Spadaro as treasurer.