The Fanshawe student body has spoken. Next years student council and president have been elected.
15 students ran for a place as director, with only eight spots available.
The outgoing president, Keren Nanetti, made a short-and-sweet speech as the winners were announced, displaying the utmost confidence in the new directors.
“I’m very sad to leave, but I’m very happy for these wonderful guys [up here]. And I know they’re going to do an incredible job. Good luck.”
With a total of 2,390 votes cast the breakdown of the winners ended up like this:
- Zakir, Zayaan 991
- Yadav, Prerna 989
- Muraleedharan, Lakshmy Trikkur 824
- Dahale, Kaivalya (KD) 752
- Chakkupurackal, Allan Saji 741
- Ayerst, Cole 659
- Akter, Naznin 570
- Stanley, Staceyann 569
Cole Ayerst is the only returning director.
President
FSU’s new president.
Image by Tamara Thornton
The vote for president is where the election took a strange turn.
Katyayini Thakur was an impressive candidate (now president).
She’s a health systems management student, who has already worked as a doctor for three years in a New Delhi hospital’s oncology department. She came to Canada, specifically Fanshawe, to get her license and open her own clinic.
And she’s no stranger to the Fanshawe Student Union, she was elected as an FSU director in 2019’s October by-election.
She says her time as director will help her in her new role.
“To be honest, I didn’t know a lot about the FSU before I was elected director. Once I was in that position, I got to interact with the students at a greater level. It really filled me in on all the activities the FSU organizes. And all the services we offer at the FSU. It motivated me to run for president.”
None of that is strange. What’s odd is that she was the only candidate for president.
In an odd turn of events, none of the other applicants met the qualifications to become FSU President because they’ll still be students next year and president is a full-time position.
FSU’s outgoing president Keren Nanneti
Image from Fanshawe Student Union
What complicated and confused that point is that the student union’s current president is a full-time student.
Nanneti was voted in five months ago. In October a by-election was required after former FSU President Abdullah Qassab left the position over the summer.
Nanneti thinks her unique situation is what may have caused some confusion about qualifications.
Despite the chaotic schedule of being a full-time student and part-time president Nanneti has really enjoyed her time in the role.
“I think pulled it off really well.” She laughs. “I think it worked out and it’s been a wonderful journey for me.”
One of Nanneti’s main goals as president was to bridge the gap between the student union and the student body.
“I’ve been organizing tons of events where I can get the students to interact and be a part of FSU. It’s not just the fun or cultural events… I tried to bring in more meet and greet opportunities. I am out there and I initiate my own events and I am there to tell them about the services we provide…”
Thakur says coming into the presidency she wants to continue that work.
“The first thing that I really want to do is, I want to go out into the hallways and interact with as many of the students as I can.”
Nanneti had simple advice for her successor.
“All I say to [Katyayini] is just move forward. And be confident with your decisions. If the students are your priority, then your choices keep moving forward in their benefit.”
