The first set began with the home team pulling out to an early 5-0 lead, before the Gryphons closed the gap to a 7-7 tie. Neither team held a substantial lead for the rest of the set, with the underdog Guelph squad eventually taking the frame with a score of 26-24.

“There were aspects of game one where we were nervous,” said Ottawa’s head coach Lionel Woods. “But the energy was good, our feet were good, and we just found a way to stay tough. I just said, ‘Look, I think that’s the best Guelph’s got, and if we stabilize and do all the things that we normally do—just a little better—then we’ll be OK.”

The Gees came back with a vengeance in the second set, jumping to an 11-1 lead, in large part due to the blocking of fourth-year middle Kathryn Weihrer and second-year left side/right side hitter Karina Krueger Schwanke. The Gryphons were unable to muster any challenge, and Gees’ third-year setter Christina Grail capped off the 25-6 victory with an ace.

“[We were] aggressive all the time. We missed serves, but we were swinging hard, digging everything, and not letting anything touch the floor,” said Gees’ second-year left side/ middle Myriam English of her team’s place.

The visiting squad regained their composure in the third set, and with the score at 21-16 it looked like they might be in a position to take the frame and put the Gees on their heels. The Garnet and Grey managed to beat the Gryphons with a few well-placed kills, and ended up taking the set 25-23.

Up two sets to one, the Gees refused to relent, playing to their strengths and winning the overall game with their fourth set 25-17 victory. With the Gees’ win, they move onto the Ontario semifinals.

“We played in the playoffs last year, but it’s still a young group, and it’s a brand new leadership group,” said Woods after the game. “You’ve got to get through that first playoff game and they did. It was at home and I think they did good. Now it’s final four and everybody’s even, so let’s let it rip.”

The Gees will take on Queen’s University Golden Gaels (13-5 regular season, 1-0 playoffs) at York University on Feb.  25.

 —Keeton Wilcock

—Eva Morin

Board of Administration

Social Sciences

Quinn Blue
Nicole Desnoyers 
Dave Eaton 
Madeline Gow
Vanessa Rydell 
Mark Donoghue

Science

Maryam Benichou 
Ines Abusheikha

Telfer School of Management

Alexandr Revelo 
Natalie Rydell

Engineering

Nick Zorn

Arts

Daniel Arnold 
Chase Patterson
Bryan Rowley 
Jocelyn Boere
Jordan Henry

Senate

Social Sciences

Dave Eaton

Science

Julia Davies

Board of Governors

Nicole Desnoyers

photo courtesy Mico Mazza

“I FEEL GREAT—I really feel great,” were the first words out of Ethan Plato’s mouth upon being elected the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) president thanks to 2,361 student votes, according to the preliminary results that were announced in the early hours of Feb. 17.

“I think that there’s a lot that needs to be done and I think we need to work on a lot—I really don’t know what to say at this point. I really liked how there wasn’t a lot of animosity in this campaign as opposed to previous years,” he said.

Plato’s supporters exploded in cheers and congratulations, lifting the newly elected president into the air as soon as the results were announced.

“The fact that we got four per cent more people out is incredible,” said Plato. “It’s going to be out mandate, our promise to increase that next year. I would feel like we failed if we didn’t.”

After giving out hugs to all his supporters and the losing candidates, Plato said he will meet with anyone in the university community as soon as he gets to sit in the SFUO office.

“We need to figure out what the plan is—figure out our differences, our similarities, work ourselves together, and figure things out that way—because that’s what’s going to have to happen,” he said.

Despite her loss, Amalia Savva kept a positive attitude and wished Plato luck during his mandate.

“I’m good—I’ve had a great campaign,” said Savva. “[Plato] led a great campaign and I wish him luck as well. I think I got a chance to talk to a lot of students in the past two weeks [and] it was great to spend some time doing that. I hope that he continues that work—outreaching to students.”

Philippe Mulet also wished Plato luck, adding he will stay involved in student politics despite losing the presidential position.

“I’m feeling lovely,” said Mulet. “I think Ethan ran a lovely campaign; I think Amalia really should have stepped up her game. I guess it as harder with three candidates, but I’m just really happy for the whole experience and I’m happy for the people who actually voted for me.”

 —Jane Lytvynenko

photo courtesy Sean Done

JOZEF SPITERI WON the position of vp social for the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) for the 2012–13 year. Spiteri received 2,577 votes, according to preliminary results, to beat incumbent Marie-Claude Noël.

“[I was] surprised there was that many,” said Jozef Spiteri about the turnout. “We called on students [and they are] able to be proud of their work.”

The announcement of the winner for the vp social race experienced delays. Ballot counting went two hours past its projection and the announcement was interrupted by a fire alarm that went off in the Unicentre.

When the winner was announced, supporters of Spiteri celebrated by lifting him into the air above the crowd. After the fire alarm sounded and he was placed on his feet, Spiteri told the Fulcrum he was ready to get down to business.

“I have to stick to what I said I would do,” said Spiteri. “From there, I have to figure out how to do it and do it properly.”

Spiteri said he had three priorities he wants to address when he starts his term.

“Fixing Fedstock, fixing the advertising, and the voting would be the first three priorities,” said Spiteri. “Also, having the calendar [of events] up by September would be great.”

Spiteri also gave credit to his advertising campaign and affiliation with Ethan Plato, the newly elected president for the SFUO. Campaign posters for Spiteri and Plato were distinct and highly visible across campus throughout the campaign compared to other candidates.

“I think the ad [campaign] had a huge impact. I think running with Ethan made a big difference compared to a group of six,” he said, referring to the other affilliations, composed of Adam Gilani, vp finance; Anne-Marie Roy, vp communications; and Liz Kessler, vp university affairs will occupy the new executive with Spiteri, Plato, and Kate Hudson, vp student affairs.

—Christopher Radojewski 

photo courtesy Sean Done

ANNE-MARIE ROY, WHO ran unopposed for Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) vp communications in the 2012–13 elections, who received 3,641 votes according to preliminary results.

Despite having to wait hours for the results—and then being interrupted by a fire alarm causing the evacuation of the University Centre terminus—Roy expressed enthusiasm over her win.

“I am very excited,” she said. “I really want to continue working for students, representing them, and continuing the great work that the SFUO has started in the past years … I think it’s going to be a great year.”

Roy said she wants to re-evaluate the students’ needs when she gets into office.

“My priority is going to be meeting all of the student groups on campus, whether it be in terms of departments of the SFUO, the federated bodies, or the clubs,” she said. “Basically to evaluate and assess their needs in terms of promotion, communication, and students reaching out to their members, then coming back to the marketing department and coming up with a game plan.”

Roy said she looks forward to working with students and focusing evergy on student communication and engagement.

According to Roy, revamping the website will be her biggest challenge, though she’s up for it

“I really want to do something great with the website,” she said. “It’s been a big point on my platform, and a really big point on this campaign. So I really hope that it will turn into something that will trigger long-term student engagement.

Although Roy was affiliated with Amalia Savva, Adam Gilani, Marie-Claude Noël, Liz Kessler, and Tasha Peters throughout the election period, Roy said she has no qualms about working with Ethan Plato, Jozef Spiteri, and Kate Hudson in the coming academic year.

“I am going to work with the mandate that students gave me,” she said, “And I’m sure that if Jozef is the candidate that students want to see at the vp social, then I will work with him, and I’m sure that we’ll have a great year together.

—Spencer Van Dyk

photo courtesy Mico Mazza

AFTER RECEIVING 2,214 preliminary votes, Liz Kessler won the position of vp university affairs in the 2012–13 elections for the executive of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO). Kessler won over first-time candidate Christopher Clarke, keeping her position for the second year.

After delayed election results and a fire alarm, Liz Kessler was cold but extremely happy when she finally gave a statement outside the University Centre.

“I’m really excited!” said Kessler after the results were announced. “Students have given me a strong message to continue the work I’ve done to stand up for students’ interests on campus.”

Kessler campaigned by promoting affordability on campus for students through the U-Pass program and the Drop Fees campaign. She also wants to create a bill of rights to protect students who are living on campus. After the National Day of Action, Kessler felt there was a positive response and the campaign, adding lowering tuition fees will be her priority next year.

“This is the biggest problem that students on our campus are facing,” said Kessler about high tuition fees. “I’ve been working on it for a year already.”

Although Clarke didn’t win his first attempt at landing a spot on the SFUO executive, he was eager to congratulate Kessler on her success, mentioning he has plans to continue his involvement in student politics.

“I plan on running again,” said Clarke. “I really didn’t expect to win. I just wanted to run to voice the other side … Student politics have been run in a way recently that hasn’t been inclusive of everybody, and I just wanted to voice that.”

While Kessler managed to secure her position again, not all candidates in her affiliation were elected. According to Kessler, this new team is going to be a change, and her biggest immediate challenge.

“It’s an unknown and I don’t know what to expect,” explained Kessler about the new team.

Despite the change, she is excited about being able to continue her work.

“I’m looking to continue working for accessible, quality education for everyone,” she said. “We did see a response from the Day of Action, a great response from the provincial government, where they said, ‘We care for you and are going to bring in more funding.’”

—Emily Glass

photo courtesy Sean Done

THE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT body has spoken: They have elected Kate Hudson to be their vp student affairs for the 2012–13 school year. Preliminary results of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) elections show Hudson beat competition Tasha Peters by 506 votes, with Hudson receiving 2,416 votes and Peters 1,910. Voter turnout in the election was reported to be 15 per cent.

Immediately after learning she won the election, Hudson summarized her emotions in one word: “Awesome!”

Hudson admitted to being a little bit surprised by the results.

“I really wasn’t expecting it,” she said.

She indicated her willingness to connect with undergraduate students as a possible reason why she won the election.

“I think that there was just this huge push this year for more student engagement,” she said. “I think that maybe my platform really spoke to the students in terms of being able to represent absolutely everyone on campus and being able to reach out to groups who haven’t been reached out to before.”

Despite a delay in receiving the results of the vote and a disabled fire alarm—which interrupted the reading of the results and forced the crowd outside for the rest of the night—Hudson found election night in general to be a success.

“It was OK,” she said. “As usual, there were some problems with getting the votes counted, which is to be expected with the amount of votes they had to count. A big thank you to all the poll clerks for counting. There was the unfortunate fire alarm in the middle of the announcements, but other than that I think there was a good mood and everyone was relaxed—we knew what to expect.”

Hudson acknowledged she will face difficulties as vp student affairs, but maintained her faith in her abilities and those of her new coworkers.

“Managing that huge team of staff on the SFUO I think is going to be the biggest challenge for me, but I’m confident in our team and I’m confident in my abilities,” she said. “I think we’re going to have a great year.”

Hudson was sure to express her gratitude toward the student body.

“A big thanks for electing me—that’s amazing,” she said. “I’m glad you guys have confidence in me and I hope I can live up to that expectation.”

Hudson said the thing she looks forward to most in her new position is working with the rest of the newly elected SFUO executive.

“I’m just really excited, even though I don’t know my full team yet,” she said. “I think we’ll have a great year if we work together. We have a lot of great people, great ideas—the sky’s the limit.”

—Kristyn Filip

“I’m very happy that … I had a large number of students vote ‘yes’ and really show their faith in the plans that I have for next year,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to continue working on some of the great things the SFUO has done in the past and make sure we move forward with that.

“It was a lot of campaigning, a lot of hours went into this,” said Gilani. “I gave it my all, campaigned right ‘till five minutes before 7 p.m. to make sure we didn’t miss anyone, and that showed: We had a higher voter turnout than past years. It was extremely tiring, but it was well worth it.”

When asked about his plans for the position, Gilani pointed to his platform.

“All of the things that are in my platform, [I’m] looking forward to accomplishing all of them,” he said. “Some of the things that were in my platform included making sure that we have broad-based budget consultations with as many students as possible, and I intend to make that a reality as soon as possible, making sure we engage as many students [as possible].”

Gilani committed to get straight to work upon assuming the position.

“We take over in May … and the first budget is due not [long] after that, so definitely I’m going get right into gear in the summer and make sure we get those budget consultations going and present our first budget as soon as possible,” he said.

Tasha Peters, Amalia Savva, and Marie-Claude Noël—who were a part of Gilani’s affiliation—were defeated.

“It’s a bittersweet moment having just won the election, but also some of my colleagues who were running with me—who I was supporting—evidently have … not come through,” he said. “It’s going take some time to really settle in to what’s happened—the reality of what the next year’s exec is going to look like—so we’ll wait and see what happens.”

—Edward Roué

Vp social – Jozef Spiteri

Vp university affairs – Liz Kessler

Vp student affairs – Kate Hudson

Vp communication – Anne-Marie Roy

Vp finance – Adam Gilani

Voter turnout was 15 per cent