Baruch College’s Undergraduate Student Government held elections on Oct. 29 to fill a vacant seat left by Rep. Sen. Eileen Barros.

Barros, who was elected on Sept. 24, stepped down due to personal reasons. This marks the third vacancy on the table since the start of the semester.

Her resignation comes shortly after her election, which had been unanimous. 

“It was a hard decision to make,” stated Barros and wishes “all the best to the new representative senator and the USG team.”

The election had a significantly lower number of applicants, with only six candidates, compared to the 16 that applied last time there was an election for the position. 

In the end, Genesis Calle was selected to be the newest member of the table.

The election’s format was the same as the previous one: applicants were given time to make their elevator pitches, explaining what they could bring to the table, and afterward had to answer two questions regarding what they hope to accomplish if elected.

The first question posed by the table was, “what do you think USG could do better or differently?” 

Each applicant was given one minute to prepare an answer. 

All candidates agreed that USG was already doing a great job, but said that it could possibly
expand on what they do for students.

The next question was, “if you were given an unlimited budget, what event, initiative or project would you put forward?”

Answers ranged from creating initiatives to hosting workshops, but answers all came down to one common denominator: helping students.

After all the applicants finished answering the questions, the table concluded its meeting and entered into executive session to decide who would fill the seat. 

Rep. Sen. Basil Harding was determined to find someone who could help better USG and consequentially, a wider reach of Baruch students. Through a process of elimination, the table narrowed down candidates until they decided that Calle would be the new representative senator. 

Calle, who is also the vice chair of student affairs, fit what the table was looking for. She attributes her success to presenting herself as someone who is motivated, reliable and responsible.

“I feel that I won because I displayed all my talents and the table saw that,” she said.

Following her election, she has also received support from fellow students.

“All this love and support I’ve been getting really warms my heart,” shared Calle.

“I really do appreciate getting the chance to be able to work with the table to continue to pursue innovative and exciting new opportunities that we are confident will benefit all of Baruch.”

USG President Dakshatha Daggala echoed Calle’s sentiments.

“The table is looking for people with potential to grow and deepen their involvement in USG. We look for people who love people,” she said.