Ashley Miller
Assistant Editor
Timothy Vela, senior speech communications major, was voted in as the new student body vice president with 566 of the total 984 votes made for vice president.
Vela, from Dalhart, is involved in the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Circle K International, BuffGreen, Student Senate and the new Gay/Straight Alliance that will be on campus next year.
Vela became interested in Student Senate after studying abroad in England.
“I saw things that I wanted to change and make better,” Vela said. “I also wanted to make a difference in the student body and change the way people thought about the way student government works.”
He gains his inspiration from General George S. Patton Jr., one of the most colorful generals of World War II.
“Running for this position was worth the struggle,” Vela said.
The only way anything is worthwhile is if there is a struggle. Otherwise the ends don’t justify the means.”
As the new student body vice president, Vela wants to improve the Student Senate and give the students more avenues.
“I want to restructure the Student Senate committees to do more things on campus and around the community as well as improving communication through creating a more open government,” Vela said.
He hopes that the students will speak out on issues concerning administration, student government and whatever else that concern them.
Improving the student body will be his main priority.
“I want to open my doors for these avenues in any way possible, so we can get feedback from the students on campus, thus improving the student body itself,” Vela said.
Vela’s intentions for student government are straightforward.
“I want to create an open office where anyone can come in,” Vela said.
I think there are a lot of issues that the students would like to address, but do not have the avenue to do so, or if they know these avenues, they are afraid of possible backlash.”
Vela is proud to have been chosen as the new student body vice president and is grateful for the student support he received.
“I feel amazing, it’s great to know that I have so many supporters out there,” Vela said. “I will enjoy getting to work with a large group of different people.”