This is part of a four part series:
- Monday – President Mark Livingstone
- Tuesday – VP Student Life Alex Vietinghoff
- Wednesday – VP Education Craig Mazerolle
- Thursday – VP Admin Mary-Dan Johnston
He only won by 22 votes, but student’s union president-elect Mark Livingstone wasn’t as surprised as everyone else by his win.
“I think…you know, obviously there’s a certain amount of support for something a little bit different,” he said. “I may have put forward a different plan and you know, even though some people may find it funny that I won cause it’s me…at the end of the day I had a plan and…[students] spoke.”
This year’s election was Livingstone’s second run at president, after coming in third behind Ella Henry and Melissa Bastarache last year. Going into his fifth and final year at St. Thomas University, the 20-year-old economics major wants his student’s union to focus more on meeting the needs of students.
Although Livingstone doesn’t have any experience on the union, he was on house committee for three years as well as residence council.
“The students’ union has always been something that… you know, I wasn’t afraid of,” Livingstone said. “I’ve always thought like, you know, we’ve got 22 per cent turnout, let’s make this a little more of a – I don’t want to say popularity contest – but let’s make this a little bit more pragmatic.”
He’s also looking forward to working with two executive members who have experience with the students’ union – Craig Mazerolle has been re-elected vice-president education and Mary-Dan Johnston will be the STUSU’s vice-president administration for the third term in a row.
“I welcome the diversity of opinions in our students union,” Livingstone said. “I mean, I’ve had classes – even with Ella. You know, we have arguments in class, but we still respect each other and get along. It’s like a sibling that you might not agree with all the time.
“So I look forward to working with everyone and making it a productive year for students.”
Livingstone says he’s like any other student who likes to hang out with his friends, drink beer and watch the hockey game.
But he says as STUSU president, he’ll be ready to tackle the “tough issues” next year like lobbying to lower tuition.
“The average student needs a reasoned voice and I think they spoke clearly to that [last Thursday],” he said.
