Adam Hughes '12, Lisa Melmed '12, and Tyrone Calliste '11 were elected last Tuesday to fill the positions of Junior Representative to the Board of Trustees, Senator for Ridgewood and Senator for the Mods respectively. The new members were sworn in at the Senate meeting on Sunday.Melmed and Calliste step into two senatorial positions that were not filled at the beginning of the semester. Herbie Rosen '12, secretary of the Student Union, wrote in an e-mail interview with the Justice that the original elections did not yield a senator for Ridgewood, and the student elected to the Senator for the Mods position declined the role. Rosen wrote that the Union Executive Board wanted students from all quads represented in the Union.

"We wanted to give students another chance at electing their representatives," wrote Rosen, "and this past election has provided them with just that."

In an e-mail interview with the Justice, Melmed wrote that she had been concerned earlier in the semester when no students stepped forward to run for the Ridgewood senator position, and she realized she could be the right person for the job. "On reflection, I asked myself why I didn't take on that responsibility," wrote Melmed. "Instead of waiting for something to happen or for someone else to lead the way, I decided to get involved and run."

Describing herself as a "passionate" and "enthusiastic team player," Melmed claimed that her biggest goal is to get more students involved in campus activities. "Apathy is our biggest enemy and the greatest challenge to having a vibrant and exciting campus," wrote Melmed. "I intend to get involved with the diversity committee and help foster greater interaction between all students in the Brandeis Community."

Calliste could not be reached for comment by press time.

Hughes fills the position of Junior Representative to the Board of Trustees, which was vacated earlier this month by Supreetha Gubbala '12, who stepped down to take a job at a domestic violence and sexual assault shelter in Boston. In an e-mail with the Justice, Hughes wrote, "I have a lot of respect for Supreetha Gubbala, . and I want to continue the path she set as a student leader."

This position marks Hughes' second separate time elected to the Union after winning the position of vice president in a special election in September 2008. This election was held after then-Vice President Michael Kerns '09resigned and took leave of Brandeis for personal reasons, according to a Sept. 23, 2008 Justice article. According to a Jan. 20, 2009 Justice article, Hughes held this position until mid-January 2009, when he resigned and took a semester off after being diagnosed with a learning disability. He has also counseled a Union Judiciary trial and served on the Elections Commission for several Union elections.

Hughes wrote in his e-mail to the Justice that his first goal is to "get on the same page as [Union President] Daniel Acheampong '11 and [Senior Representative to the Board of Trustees] Heddy Ben-Atar '11 and decide how I can best help the existing Union projects to succeed."

Hughes expressed confidence in his sability to fulfill the obligations of his new role. "I'm familiar with the structures of the Union government from my time as Vice President, and I feel confident that I can work within them to create change on campus," he wrote.

Rosen wrote that he was especially pleased that every quad now has a student representing it in a senatorial position.

"I am very excited to have these new additions to the Student Union," wrote Rosen. "All of the candidates were very qualified and great people, and I am sure those who were elected will bring much initiative, perspective and energy to the Student Union.