SPEC, NEC elect slate of top officials for next year

Two major student government groups, the Social Planning and Events Committee and the Nominations and Elections Committee, elected new officers last week. Three days before the beginning of Spring Fling, the event's directors scored a major coup in the elections for next year's board of SPEC. SPEC is the umbrella group for several organizations that coordinate campus-wide social events including Fling, SPEC Jazz and Connaissance, which brings speakers to campus. Former Fling Tri-Chairperson Bruce Frey, a College junior, was elected SPEC president last Tuesday, replacing College senior Sean Steinmarc. Wharton and Engineering junior Seema Singh, also a tri-chairperson of this year's Fling Committee, won the post of vice president formerly held by Darryl Maxwell, a College senior. Former SPEC Jazz Co-Chairperson and Engineering junior David Wachs replaced Wharton senior Kimberlyn Dennis as treasurer. And Melissa Davey, a College senior, handed over the title of secretary to College junior Rashmi Gupta. Frey said he was looking forward to starting his job. "I am very enthused about working with such a fantastic group of people next year," he said. "We're going to make it a very productive time." The executive board of the NEC also handed over the reins to a new group of leaders Tuesday night as Wharton junior Neha Champaneria took the helm from former Chairperson Chris LaVigne, a College senior. Former Vice Chairperson for Elections and College sophomore Mike Brody passed on the title to College sophomore Christine Naselaris, the former vice chairperson for publicity. Brody will now take on the post of vice chairperson for nominations, formerly held by Evan Fleck, a College junior. Also, Wharton freshman Nick Goad was elected vice chairperson for feedback, replacing Champaneria; College freshman Brian Rosenzweig was elected to the position of vice chairperson for publicity; and Engineering freshman Teresa Lee will replace Goad as secretary. The NEC runs all student government elections, including those for Undergraduate Assembly and class boards. It also appoints students to serve on various Trustee and University committees. Champaneria praised LaVigne for his work this year. "I think Chris did a really good job this year," she said. "It was a year of transition and he did really well with it."