Freshman Joseph F. Vidulich was named Student Government secretary after receiving a credit waiver and being confirmed by the General Assembly, the SG's legislative branch, on Sunday.
Vidulich, a freshman in the School of Public Affairs, acknowledged that it was unusual for a freshman to be nominated for an executive position, but asked the assembly to consider him based on his qualifications.
"If one person told me I wasn't qualified for this, I would not have put my hat in the ring," Vidulich said, adding that he was encouraged to pursue the position by both current and incoming executives.
Vidulich, who represents Anderson Hall in the GA, is also chairman of the Government Operations Committee and the Ad-Hoc Committee on the Bylaws.
SG President-elect Kyle Taylor appointed Vidulich after no secretary was elected in February when the rest of the executive positions were filled. "The pool was very competitive and it was a very difficult decision," Taylor said. "I chose Joe because he has proven to be very dedicated to the student government and has a genuine desire to help the student body."
The only official candidate who ran for the position, Kevin Gilnack, a junior in SPA, dropped out of the race about a week before voting began, and no write-in candidates won the required 10 percent of the vote.
Taylor invited any interested individuals to apply for the position and conducted interviews on Saturday.
Vidulich's freshman status required him to obtain a credit waiver from the assembly to hold an executive position.
Freshman assembly member Charlie Biscotto said Vidulich's freshman status actually proves to be beneficial in the position because he will best understand the issues facing incoming freshmen.
"Some see being young as a disadvantage, but I see it as an advantage," Taylor said.
The assembly voted to confirm him by a 19-1 margin, with one abstention. Vidulich said he plans to remain involved with the legislative body, although executives do not have voting rights in the assembly.
"Anything that I still think should concern the assembly I will bring to their attention, just as any other member of the student body should," Vidulich said.
Vidulich, from Oceanside, N.Y., is pursuing a major in political science. He currently interns on Capitol Hill for Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), although he plans to put interning aside in the coming year to focus on his duties as secretary.
GA member Jen Smyers had some reservations about confirming Vidulich.
"He's a great assembly member and a great chair ... but I don't know how great he'd be with the technical aspects of the secretary position," Smyers said.
However, current Secretary Jamie Rea said Vidulich is "as well-versed on [the technicalities] as I am. ... He knows the things that I do, and he's willing and ready and wants to do them. And that's something that doesn't come often."
Former SG presidential candidate Joe Gallina recalled convincing Vidulich to run for a seat in the GA earlier in the year.
"I'm proud of him and I think he's come a long way," Gallina said. "I think [SG secretary] is a good position for him. I also think that we should respect the choice of the other executives."
GA members also voted to adopt a series of bylaws to the constitution dealing with changes in the executive branch. SG executives will receive an increase in pay as a result of higher housing costs, and a Department of Student Outreach will be formed to get more students and clubs involved in the Student Government and its events.
