Melissa Hanson  Asst. News Editor

Suffolk has voted and the results are in: the Student Government Association (SGA), which gives the university’s students a voice, will both retain members and welcome new ones during the 2013/2014 academic year.

Billy Cerullo, a junior, has been named President-elect, taking over after current President Samienta Pierre-Vil graduates.  Cerullo has been involved with SGA for two years, as both the Chair for the Student Affairs Committee and a senator for the class of 2014.

“I wanted to have a role that had more pull, and to better the student body,” said Cerullo.  “I’ve had the opportunity to work with great people and have leadership roles.”

Cerullo campaigned mostly through word of mouth, but also used flyers and social media.  He tried to talk to the leaders on campus and let everyone know his plan.  He also believes the open forum helped him secure victory.

Vice President Vito Gallo, a junior, did not have to campaign as much as Cerullo since he was running unopposed for reelection.

“I’m very excited for my second term and I can’t wait to work with more students. It’s been a great first year and I hope that continues into the next term,” said Gallo.

The new SGA secretary is Geraldin Batista.  The junior has previously been a class of 2014 senator and became the Public Relations Chair during this year.  She was also running unopposed, but used social media to give her peers some information about the elections.  Because Batista is the current Public Relations Chair she had to remain unbiased during elections, excluding her from self-promotion, endorsement of peers, as well as from participating in the open forum.

Newly-elected Treasurer, sophomore Tyler LeBlanc, has been involved with SGA since the fall semester as a class of 2015 senator, a member of the finance committee, and as a liaison with the IT department.  He was attracted to the position because of his experience dealing with numbers on the finance committee.  However, LeBlanc, although also running unopposed, had a different challenge than other candidates.

“Being in Australia studying abroad made me worry about my campaign since I couldn’t be there in person to run,” said LeBlanc. Through his use of social media, he was able to secure his position and keep in contact with Suffolk students despite the 14-hour time difference.

These executive board members worked closely together this year and definitely have a plan moving forward into their new positions.   Their biggest goal is to keep the New England School of Art and Design (NESAD) a close part of Suffolk, as many overlook it due to its separation from the rest of campus.

Cerullo’s vision for his term as president is in community and tradition.  He wants to