Dylan Lustig elected next Student Association president

With more than twice as many votes as his opponent, Dylan Lustig was voted Syracuse University's Student Association president for the 56th Session.

Lustig, a sophomore international relations and economics major, beat out Taylor Carr for the position in the most-popular SA election since voting through MySlice began in 2002. Before then, students could vote on paper ballots at various places on campus. Lustig garnered 2,167 votes while Carr, a junior public relations major, had 972.

Photo: Brandon Weight

Dylan Lustig, a sophomore international relations and economics major, is the 2012 Student Association President.

"Thank you to all students who took the time out of their busy schedules to participate in the election," Lustig said in a statement released by SA's Chair of Board of Elections and Membership PJ Alampi. "Your participation and excitement is the engine that has driven this entire process. I am honored and humbled by your efforts and participation."

Out of 14,222 undergraduate students, 26.1 percent -- 3,706 students -- voted in the election. This is a record-breaking year for the elections. Before this session, the most participation was in 2008, with 23.6 percent of the undergraduate population casting ballots. Elections started Nov. 14 and ended at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 17.

Not winning the election would not hinder Carr's activism within the university, he said in the statement.

"This election has offered me a great opportunity to grow both as a person and as a leader," Carr said. "I have no greater love than bringing positive change to this university and have no plans to quit with this loss. As student leaders we must persevere for the greater good." He also wished Lustig good luck in the position.

Though Lustig and Carr were the only candidates in the race officially, Le Orange, a satirical blog, mounted a write-in campaign. It received 105 votes. There were 225 total write-in votes.

Stephen DeSalvo, the lone contender for comptroller, won with 2,805 votes. Write-in votes for comptroller came in at 206.

In a debate hosted by SA on Nov. 13, Lustig supported community service without having organizations mandating the manpower. He also said SU's drop in a U.S. News & World Report ranking this year is something he wanted to work on with university officials, saying rankings are something prospective students follow.