Despite the controversy that followed the elections, new student government officers were sworn in during an uneventful ceremony Tuesday.
Economics junior Ross Meyer is replacing Corinne Widmer as Undergraduate Student Government president, while finance and political science sophomore Liz Simonhoff will retain her role as vice president.
Just after they were sworn in, Simonhoff clapped and said to Meyer, "Yay! We did it!"
Elections director Aaron Kravitz had disqualified Meyer and Simonhoff earlier this month after opponent Richard Sales filed a campaign violation.
Meyer did not turn in a campaign expense form before the March 7 run-off, as required by election rules. Sales did not turn in an expense form either.
But the Associated Students of ASU Supreme Court overturned the disqualification last week.
Simonhoff said she was ready to move on.
"I want to look back 10 years from now and say, 'This is what I did for the University,'" she said. "I'm not going to remember this bickering and arguing."
Simonhoff said she thought the fact that she has already been in office since late January was an asset.
"I definitely know what the next year is going to bring; the challenges, the pros and the cons," she said.
Simonhoff added she would also be able to help Meyer to adjust to his new position because Widmer included her in a lot of the presidential responsibilities.
Their first goal in office is to get the rest of their staff on board, Meyer said.
"We want to hire our staff as soon as possible ... so that we can get past this [drama]," he added.
Brett Perozzi, executive director of the Memorial Union, opened the ceremony with some advice for the incoming leaders.
"Make a difference in the short period of time you have in this office," he said. "There is no need to force change, make enemies or burn bridges.
"Change comes in many forms; find the one that works for you."
Widmer said she was very excited for the new leadership, but that she would miss being in USG.
After graduating next month, Widmer will start graduate school at the University of Chicago, studying social services administration.
"Hopefully in 10 years, I'll be renting out bikes to poor children instead of ASU students," she said laughing.
Reach the reporter at andrea.adams@asu.edu.
