UM Black Student Union Elects New President

Harris (right)

On March 8, the University of Mississippi Black Student Union (BSU) held its annual elections for the 2016 and 2017 school year.

The BSU is an organization that provides a sense of community among all students of the African American community at The University of Mississippi, according to its mission statement.

The current black student union president, Justavian Tillman, said this year’s election has grown tremendously.

“Reflecting back to my year running for president I was unopposed and didn’t have to go out of my way,” Tillman said, “but being here over my four years I’ve never seen a Black Student Union election so big. Both candidates prepared platforms that they felt would continue the progression of the Black Student Union.”

Seventy-one black student union members showed up to vote for the upcoming president. The roles of the BSU president, that will serve the needs of the people, continue to work to provide a home for them UM, assure that the voices, goals and ideas of African American students are heard.

Ole Miss junior, Joshua Tucker was very excited to vote for the upcoming election.

“From my experience at the university this election for 2016-2017 is setting the standards for future endeavors,” Tucker said. “In the past years I’ve been here I’ve seen so much campaigning from students. Both of the candidates for president have a very well put together campaign.”

Both presidential candidates, Chase Moore and Terrius Harris, gave two-minute speeches during the Black Student Union meeting last night.

Presidential candidate, Chase Moore, was eager for the opportunity to run for such a powerful organization.

“I’m excited that BSU has gotten to this place that there is even a race- being recognized as and organization that matters and has values,” Moore said. “I’m excited to run because I know I will be a great president, but still excited that if I don’t win the Black Student Union will be in great hands with Terrius Harris.”

Presidential candidate, Terrius Harris’s, campaign was based on the motto “believe in BSU.”

“But no matter what, my entire platform is based off of ‘Believe in BSU’,” Harris said, “and no matter who they vote on tonight that’s exactly what they did- was believed in BSU.”

The Black Student Union meeting closed with the election results. Justavian Tillman announced that Harris took the win with a thirteen-point difference over Moore.

Once, Harris realized that his name was announced he burst into tears of honor of being the 2016-2017 BSU president.

Jayla Whitfield is a intern at hottytoddy.com. She is a current student at the Meek School of Journalism and New Media. Jayla can be reached at jowhitfi@go.olemiss.edu.