The Black Student Alliance selected its 2003-2004 executive board in an election held in Clark hall last night.
Third-year College student Myra Franklin was elected to serve as the organization's next president after three competing candidates removed themselves from consideration.
Second-Year College student Vincent Pinkney used his allotted time to share his plans for the BSA with the assembly, but ultimately conceded his support to Franklin.
"I will support your wholeheartedly," Pinkney said to Franklin, "provided you do the things you have promised to do."
First-year student Aaron Smith, who also ran for president, said he felt he lacked Franklin's experience but hoped he would be considered for leadership positions in the future.
Third-year Architecture student Matthew Punsalan, who served as this year's director of representatives, removed himself from consideration before the election commenced.
Franklin said she viewed the BSA as an "umbrella organization" for other student groups, which focus on issues important to African-American students. She also said she would work to increase ties and communication between the BSA and these groups, saying she would try to forge a "personal relationship" with administrators and representatives of the Honor and Judiciary committees in order to address issues of importance to African-American students at the University.
"My goal is to find out where black students fit at this University," Franklin said. "I want to encourage dialogue by asking this question."
Constructing a positive image for African-American students at the University should be an integral goal for the BSA, she said.
Franklin stressed the importance of student participation in the BSA to its effectiveness and said she would seek to communicate with African-American students who are not active in BSA as well as those who are.
First-year Engineering student Isaac Noye, who will serve as next year's director of programming, echoed this commitment to inclusiveness. He said he plans to institute programming that would unite academic classes and reach out to first-year students.
According to third-year College student Shealin Smoot, who was elected executive vice president, the BSA should expand its Web site and attempt to reach out to African-American employees at the University.
"There is a divide that wasn't always there," she said. "We need to show them that we support the work they do every day."
Students who ran unopposed filled four of the organization's seven executive board positions.
First-year College student Joselyn Spence was elected chief of staff, while third-year Commerce student Darren Kelly and second-year College student Desiree Aird will serve as director of finance and director of publicity respectively.
Outgoing BSA President Tyler Scriven said he believes the new executive board will have a demanding year.
"Their greatest challenge will be healing the divide within the African-American community and healing the divide within the University community," Scriven said.
He said he was proud of the BSA's increased profile over the last year.
"Regardless of its current state, the BSA has a name," he said.
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