With the largest voter turnout in Student Government Association history (6,595 votes), West Virginia University students David Kirkpatrick and Jason Parsons were declared the unofficial winners of the 2007 SGA elections late Thursday night (Feb. 22) at the Mountainlair.

Kirkpatrick, a senior finance major from Johnstown, Pa., was elected student body president. Parsons, a sophomore political science major from Seth, W.Va., is the new student body vice president.

Specifically, the Kirkpatrick-Parsons administration wants to expand student government outreach and increase SGA s visibility in the Universitys colleges and schools. Central to the plan will be the creation of a new advisory group made up of student liaisons from each of the colleges and schools who will meet periodically to provide feedback, distribute information and bring their peersconcerns to the attention of the student body leadership.

The new student leaders also would like to expand the University 101 orientation class on Student Government and step up recruiting efforts for SGA .

One of the most important things Student Government can do to form new ideas is to recruit leaders on campus to be a part of the discussion on how to best address the issues we face as students,they said.

Kirkpatrick and Parsons also will work toward improving student parking and transportation, advocating for more bus routes and advertising of existing bus routes; the creation of a transportation guide, featuring maps of bus routes and encouraging students to ride the Mountain Line buses orpark and ride;and an extended Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) schedule with longer weekday hours, extended service on Fridays and Saturdays and new service on Sundays.

The new student administration would also like to explore the possibility ofmidtermparking, where a student with an evening class could use a space that another student has used during the day.

Building on the current success of ongoing Mountainlair renovations (new Burger King and Vandalia Lounge makeover), Kirkpatrick and Parsons plan to look into new food venues in the student union, improvements to the television lounge under the grand staircase and the Side Pocket, the installation of water fountains on theLair green, new activities, and WVU photos and information about memorable moments in Mountaineer history displayed in theLair.

Promoting Greek unity and philanthropy; expanding campus safety effortsincreased lighting, security video surveillance and walking safety patrols at night; and promoting recycling at WVU more SGA involvement in Gov. Joe Manchins REAP (Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan)/Mountaineers Recycle program at athletic events and encouraging recycling in residence halls; and continuing the exploration of a possible campus child care center for student parents are also goals.

Kirkpatrick and Parsons bring a wealth of student leadership experience to their new positions. For the past year, Kirkpatrick has served on the SGA Board of Governors, promoting student government through the First-Year Experience and residence hall programs. He has been a resident assistant at Boreman Hall for three years and chaired the Resident Assistant Council.

In addition, he is active in the College of Business and Economics along with the Finance Club, Mountaineer Maniacs, Institute for Human Dignity and Irish American Society.

As a member of the BOG , Parsons has worked on the implementation of an online course syllabus database and online course evaluations. He also helped develop a University 101 course designed to get students involved in student government.

His other activities include helping organize a voter registration drive for the November general election and participating in the Institute for Human Dignity, WVU Honors College, Mountaineer Maniacs, Young Democrats and Hugh OBrian Youth Leadership Alumni Association.

Parsons has also served as a resident assistant in Lyon Tower and been a member of the Multicultural Advisory Committee and Southern and Rural West Virginia Association.

Fifteen students were elected to slots on the Board of Governors. They include: Sally Barth , a junior public relations major from Charleston; Milisa Cutlip , a junior psychology major from Paden City; Melanie Davis , a junior nursing major from Morgantown; Allie France , a freshman psychology major from Masontown; Emily Golomb , a sophomore business and economics major from Monroeville, Pa.; Nic Hall , a freshman criminology and investigations major from Towson, Md.; and Darby Lentz , a freshman animal and veterinary sciences major from Wallace.

Others are: Lizzy Margolin , a freshman public relations major from Charleston; Sarah Perry , a freshman public relations major from Morgantown; Whitney Rae Peters , a sophomore public relations major from Madison, W.Va.; Jared Ramsey , a freshman finance major from Morgantown; Erica Rogers , a sophomore political science major from Weirton; Leslie Saunders , a junior history major from Charleston; Aaron Stonebraker , a senior political science major from Fort Ashby; Kristen Thomaselli , a sophomore public relations major from New Cumberland.

Elected to the Athletic Council were Eric McDougle , a sophomore exercise physiology major from Vienna, W.Va., and Cassie Werner , a sophomore political science and philosophy major from Clarksburg.

Official certification of these results will take place at 12:30 p.m. today (Feb. 23) at the College of Law.