The University Student Senate’s special election concluded last week, filling 9 of the 11 open seats across colleges. According to the Senate, this election saw an exponential increase in voter turnout, with the results announced in a university-wide email on Monday.

In the hopes of better representing The New School’s large student community,  USS extended the total number of permanent seats on the senate to 35 ahead of the special election, after a referendum proposal introduced by current Vice Chair of Graduate Affairs Linfei Yang. The special election was announced on Sep. 16 with a campaign period for each candidate continuing until Nov. 5. Since there was previously no specific requirement for the number of permanent seats, the number would fluctuate with 23 senators on the student senate at the start of the fall 2024 semester. 

The only open seat at Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts was filled by Iris Parsons who ultimately won against fellow candidates Maria Tineo and Rue Ergasheva.

Samera Shim and Elide Vincenti ran uncontested for the two open seats at The New School for Social Research, and by automatic win, both were sworn in as senators.

The three open seats at Parsons School of Design were filled by Daniel Dohad, Issepa Galilea Eddir, and Kanushi Rathore, who won against Bex Loebl, Maya Glass, Swasti Solanki, and Zoe Broerman.

The Schools of Public Engagement is the only college that has open seats left after the conclusion of the special election, with only three out of five open seats filled. Aaron Scott, Marcus Scurry, and Chaznane Fidahoussen took these spots with the fourth candidate, Adam Dayan, pulling out of the race at the last minute. 

In the university-wide statement, the student senate thanked candidates for their campaign efforts during this election and congratulated the newly-elected senators. Addressing those who participated in the voting process, they said, “Your elected senators are ready to work tirelessly on your behalf to introduce meaningful initiatives and advocate for your interests.”