Black Student Alliance members elected Elisa Dobbins president of the 2001-2002 executive board in an election session last night in Gilmer Hall.
Dobbins, a second-year College student, emphasized that "the BSA must take an active role in increasing diversity awareness at U.Va." in her election speech to the new executive board which will take office in the fall.
"Mike Costa, the outgoing president, did an awesome job of working with Honor's Diversity Awareness Committee and other major student organizations," Dobbins said. "I would love to continue that working relationship that he helped to develop."
The president-elect also emphasized the importance of supporting black faculty members, continuing and strengthening relationships with major student organizations, working with the University and Charlottesville Police to combat racial profiling and developing the now inactive Black Leadership Council.
Dobbins faced opposition in her run for the office of president, one of only two contested races.
Newly elected director of issues, third-year College student Darin Simmons and director of networking, third-year College student Kevin Stokes, will work together in the coming year to organize and rejuvenate the Black Leadership Council, an organization which has been stagnant over the past few years.
"I envision the BLC consisting of a body of members to include all black student organizations, representatives from Honor, Judiciary and Student Council and University faculty," Stokes said.
The BLC would function as a voice for the black community, enabling students to bring forth concerns before student and faculty leaders, Simmons said.
The new director of representatives, second-year College student Danielle Crayton, hopes to expand awareness of issues concerning the black community in bridging the gap between the BSA executive board and BSA class representatives.
Andre Williams, third-year College student elected as director of publicity after a competitive election run-off, also cited the need to connect with black students in the University community. Williams hopes to increase BSA membership and activism in order "to put BSA back on the map."
The BSA already holds events throughout the year to increase student interest such as The Source, an annual activities fair, Plush Talent/Fashion show, Black Awareness Week, a "Meet the Faculty" picnic and a Blackout picnic at the end of the spring term, said Tia Webb, second-year Enginneering student and director of programming-elect.
The BSA elected third-year College student Kristina Landis McClain-Jacobson director of service, second-year College student Prima Patterson historian, and second-year College student Marvin McClary chief financial officer.
Mike Costa, the outgoing president, said he was very pleased with the voter turnout. More than 40 members participated in the voting process as opposed to last year's weak turnout of 15 members.
"I feel the incoming executive board will do a good job of carrying on the new trends established in the BSA with their fresh new ideas," Costa said. "These are steps in the right direction."
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