The Anglo-American University held another one of annual student council elections in the week of Sep. 16. Students were choosing between eight candidates, a number much lower than last year’s 16. The candidates were Tanya Bechev, Radovan Fafilek, Kristyna Frankova, Michal Hron, Maria Lastras, Anna Savina, Jan Vicher, and Vendula Zenata. With twelve positions available and only eight cadidates running, all of the candidates ended up being elected.

Tanya Bechev became the new student council president and Radovan Fafilek the new vice-president. Both were elected by new student council members during the leadership development day Sep. 21. In the course of the day members also had a chance to get to know each other and to talk about new school policies concerning the student council. “[They] created a preliminary list of activities for the school year, did some team-building activities …. and went over some important sections of the student council constitution,” said Daniel Padolsky, the student council adviser.

In addition, student council positions were divided as follows: Jan Vicher became the treasurer, Radovan Fafilek deputy treasurer, secretary is Vendula Zenata and historian is Michal Hron. Committees were chosen as well, with Radovan Fafilek as chair of the social committee, Tanya Bechev as chair of the educational committee, Jan Vicher as chair of the sports committee, Anna Savina as chair of the public relations committee and Vendula Zenata as chair of constitutional committee.

Student council president Tanya Bechev is already in the process of planning educational sessions and events, which are to strengthen the student body. How exactly? “It is not yet finalized as we just started planning but guest speakers would be a good example, where the Student Council will collaborate with the faculty and the student body in order to locate and attract speakers,” said Bechev. According to Bechev, the main aim of the student council this year is to provide hands on opportunities for students to benefit them socially, academically and individually.

The voting turnout seems to be lower this year – there were only 70 votes compared to over 100 votes in the past couple of years.