Cheers and drum beats echoed as supporters of QUALIFIED and Bruins United made their way to the front of Kerckhoff Hall on Thursday night in anticipation of the undergraduate student government election results.
The two slates were separated by a self-imposed invisible wall, which neither side seemed willing to cross.
With cautious optimism, Bruins United gathered on the grass of Meyerhoff Park in a close-knit circle, chanting “Bruins United will never be defeated!” while Students First! congregated on the steps in front of Kerckhoff, cheering and waving flags.
“I am nervous about the numbers and a bit nervous for the party, but our strength is in silence,” said Amy Waisinger, a Bruins United supporter.
As Elections Board Chairwoman Mallory Wang prepared to announce the elections results, the anticipation grew among Bruins United supporters.
But with the election of Students First! candidates Lucy Wu and D’Juan Farmer, Bruins United lost the first two positions to the QUALIFIED coalition, which was formed between the Students First! and SERVE slates.
During the third announcement, the crowd remained silent, but charged. Then, Bruins United erupted in cheers as Wang announced that Tim Mullins had been elected the next Facilities commissioner by a margin of just seven votes.
“It was a wonderful race,” Mullins said. “Both sides put in effort. There was mutual respect.”
“It’s everybody’s university,” he added later.
After the results were announced, Addison Huddy, Bruins United’s newly elected general representative, stood atop a cement podium and thanked his supporters.
Fellow elected councilmembers Mullins and Thach “Tak” Nguyen stood on either side of Huddy as he spoke to a slate that was united in spite of its losses.
“We’re going to hold this council down,” he said. “There will be no resolutions that hold back some student groups.
“I’ve spoken with Students First! and I can’t wait to work with them next year.”
After the results were announced, Bruins United candidates gathered to address their supporters.
As all of the candidates gathered on the podium, some of them shouted obscenities directed at the Daily Bruin.
Several candidates said The Bruin’s coverage was biased against their slate.
Jesse Rogel, the Bruins United presidential candidate, declined to comment to Bruin reporters.
He then drew on the encouragement of three Bruins United victories when he started chanting, “Bruins United will never be defeated!”
Meanwhile, cheers of “Whose university? Our university!” erupted from QUALIFIED supporters.
Students First! maintained the electric atmosphere through supporters’ cheering and applause as they trailed down Kerckhoff steps to Bruin Plaza.
There they formed a circle around the perimeter of Bruin Plaza, with current and newly elected councilmembers gathered in the center.
Current Undergraduate Students Association Council President Homaira Hosseini said, “UCLA made the right choice. I’m happy to see what this new council will accomplish.”
Students First! President-elect Cinthia Flores expressed a message of unity and hope for her administration.
She said that winning itself was not the best feeling: “It’s the love of the community of people from all kinds of backgrounds united over one thing.”