The results of the Vassar Student Association’s (VSA) spring election were released prior to Spring Break, naming the legislative, judicial and executive members of next year’s administration. The election results were announced at 5 p.m. in the Old College Bookstore on Feb. 29 and covered a total of 26 VSA positions, notably including the roles of VSA president and vice president. Emily Doucet ’25 will serve as the VSA President for the 2024/25 school year alongside Vice President Miles Harris ’25.
Voting opened on Feb. 27 and closed on Feb. 29, with the election taking place on an online platform run by the Board of Elections and Appointments. A committee to oversee the election was erected due to absences in the Board of Elections and Appointments. The committee included members of the Division of Communications and the Senior Senators, with oversight from current VSA President Olivia Gross ’24. Five executive officers will additionally be nominated by the president-elect with support from the cabinet-elect. These positions are Director of Services, Director of Finance, Director of Student Organizations, Director of Student Events and Director of Communications.
This year, a new rule mandates the president and vice president must run on a joint ticket. For Doucet and Harris, this proved to be a collaborative experience. “We [pored] over our statements together [and] debated poster colors, but overall, it was a very positive collective experience,” Doucet said in a written correspondence with The Miscellany News.
Both Doucet and Harris have extensive experience with the VSA. Doucet began her tenure on the association in her first year as the Chief of Staff and was then elected Chair of Academic Affairs during her sophomore year. Currently, she is serving as the student body vice president. “Being vice president this year has made me incredibly attuned to all of the pieces that allow the VSA to function on an internal level,” Doucet commented. “With that knowledge, I know I will be much better equipped to have a proper handle over the reach of what we are able to do. This year in VSA was one that followed a major restructure of the entire organization, and now that I have a better handle of this new structure, I can put a lot of thought into what initiatives and issues we can address with thoughtfulness and genuine care.”
Harris is currently serving as the chief of staff, a role that has prepared them for their upcoming position of vice president. “From the moment I was hired, I was thrust into learning all of the VSA’s and College’s systems, as well as building strong relationships with other officials,” they said.
It was through their work on the VSA that Harris and Doucet met and forged a connection. “Emily and I built up a particularly robust relationship and noticed we liked working together,” Harris added. They continued, “When Emily became vice president, I was delighted to work by her side as chief of staff again. Having worked so closely with two vice presidents, it felt like a natural fit to run on a ticket with Emily, and I am so grateful to have been elected.”
What can students expect from next year’s administration? Doucet and Harris say there will be an emphasis on boosting student life. Harris shared, “On the VP side of things, I want to collaborate with the VSA finance team and org treasurers to provide support for the process of org leadership. I also want to work with VSA’s division of services to expand our previous existing resources, like VCycle, and work to create new amenities for students.” They added, “I also want to ensure the VSA’s governing documents are more accessible to students and help expand campus awareness of the way VSA works.”
Doucet echoed similar sentiments, saying, “As much as I love my internal work, a lot of our college experience won’t be enhanced by internal reformations but instead by the fun events and services that create meaningful memories.” She continued, “We aren’t in college for more than a few years, and I want to ensure that the VSA does everything that it can to make those years feel positive and exciting by putting more focus into bolstering student activities, advocacy efforts and expanding our services.”
Although almost all of the candidates up for election this year were running unopposed, for students on campus, casting their vote remained of the utmost importance. Rhys Sequeira ’25 is currently studying abroad but still participated in the most recent election. “I voted in the last Vassar election because I think that making my voice known in voting is important,” Sequeir said. Becca Spence ’25 echoed similar sentiments, adding in a written correspondence, “I voted in the past election because I feel like when I’m given a chance to vote, I should take it.”
