O'Brien, Annechini win election
New USG leaders exclaim victory for the students

By Collegian Staff Writers

Sick students will no longer have an excruciatingly long wait to see practitioners at University Health Services if the newly elected Corey O'Brien and Kara Annechini keep their campaign promises.

O'Brien and Annechini were elected president and vice president of the Undergraduate Student Government for 1995-96 after 2 weeks of campaigning.

The dynamic duo took 2,809 of the 4,599 votes in USG elections yesterday, claiming about 61 percent of the votes. The Bokee/Strano ticket garnered 1,790 votes.

"O'Brien and Annechini did not win this election -- Penn State students won this election," O'Brien shouted to a rowdy crowd of cheering campaign members. "Administration: Here comes the students' agenda."

O'Brien and Annechini defeated USG Senate President Josh Bokee and Kerith Strano, secretary general of the Model United Nations Conference 1995, in the two-ticket race.

A distinct odor of alcohol filled the HUB Ballroom as supporters rushed the stage. Current USG President Mike King grabbed the microphone and roared, "Ladies and gentlemen: Let's get ready to rumble" as supporters lifted O'Brien above their shoulders and chanted "O'Brien and Annechini!"

Celebrating began before the results were announced as some O'Brien campaign members carried bottles and cans of beer throughout the evening.

Following the announcement, most Bokee supporters surrounded Bokee and Strano, who stood with their arms around each other.

Only a few comments were made as the victors rejoiced.

"Penn State students elected these people and that really scares me," said Dan Butterworth, the USG Senate legislative appropriations review committee chairman and also a Bokee/Strano campaign worker.

O'Brien, a Penn State cheerleader, led his supporters in cheering, "Let's go drink!" as they reveled in anticipation of the upcoming year.

The O'Brien/Annechini platform called for reforming health services, improving academic advising and providing two additional study days before finals.

Other goals included implementation of a sexual assault bill of rights, semester-long dorm contracts and a teacher performance guidebook.

"We're totally ecstatic," said Annechini. "There's so much for everyone on this campaign to be proud of. We're going to get the ball rolling. Whatever comes up first will be our first priority."

The Bokee/Strano platform called for expanding free Loop service, improving academic advising and seeking legal advice for off-campus housing. Other goals included a 24-hour student helpline, mid-semester teaching evaluations and student activities such as free broomball and reduced-cost movie nights.

"The students have made their choice," Bokee said. "It's time to give full backing to Corey O'Brien and Kara Annechini."

O'Brien is willing to work with Bokee next year.

"No doubt about it. We want the best people," he said.

Head Elections Commissioner Steve Castor said both campaign staffs were incredible. "The campaigns were really managed -- the core campaign advisers took campaigns to a new level."

Students also made their voices heard on five referendum questions yesterday. They voted in favor of implementing a toll-free registration hotline, an optional $5 community service tuition fee and a smoking ban in individual dorm rooms. Students said "no" to a mandatory one-credit class focusing on social and University issues and gave their nod to midnight to 2 a.m. card-access to residence halls.

O'Brien and Annechini were endorsed by the Penn State University Veterans Organization, College Democrats and Mike "the Mailman" Herr.

Bokee and Strano were endorsed by Womyn's Concerns and Alpha Delta Pi sorority, 2 Hastings Hall.

In 1994, 4,953 students voted in USG elections.

Collegian Staff Writers Hope Caldwell, Megan Donley, Amy Oakes, Jennifer Reitz, Erin Strout and Beth Young contributed to this report.