Sophomore Jenn Barry was elected Student Government Association Executive Treasurer last week. She replaces former treasurer Andrea Wheeler after Wheeler stepped down last month to pursue job offers. Barry won the election in a 242-120 vote against opponent Kyle MacDonald.

“I think I did a good job reaching out to students and showing concern for them,” she said of her win. “I think students saw that I had their best interest at heart.”

Barry will meet with Associate Dean of Students Sharon Duffy this week to familiarize herself with the treasurer’s duties, including paperwork and guiding student organizations through the appeals process.

Though she plans to work her way through the treasurer’s handbook to weed out any unnecessary policies that were instated before she was elected, Barry said she intends to keep the controversial 10 percent policy, which several groups have protested. The rule requires all student organizations appealing for extra funds to raise at least 10 percent of the total amount of money they request.

Barry will keep the policy for two reasons, she said. The first is college affordability, which she said could be affected by the student activities fee being raised due to to lower funds in the SGA pool account. With the addition of several new organizations, funds in the account are more scarce than in previous years. The second, she said, is group unity. If groups help each other reach the 10 percent requirement, individual costs will be lowered and more students will be involved in the activity.

“It will encourage groups to work with one another to make a better event,” she said.

Before she was elected as treasurer, Barry was the SGA communication studies senator. A special election will be held in December to find a replacement.

“I’m excited that now I can start taking action,” she said. “I’m here to help.”