Thomas and Patel are next Campus Y co-presidents

The Campus Y elected Mackenzie Thomas and Jagir Patel its next co-presidents Tuesday.

With the win, voters chose a platform of strengthening committees versus one which emphasized the Campus Y’s role as a place of activism within the University.

Thomas, a current co-president, and Patel focused during the campaign on reinforcing the Campus Y’s infrastructure and helping committees work effectively.

The team, which take office March 12, stressed the importance of continuing to collaborate with their former opponents, Laura McCready and Joseph Terrell.

“We are invested not only in our platforms, but also in the suggestions and ideas that Joseph and Laura had,” Patel said.

“I want to stress the positives that they brought to our minds and to our members. Their platform won’t be ignored or neglected.”

McCready and Terrell campaigned on a platform of activism for the Campus Y. The pair served as the primary leadership in the Y’s opposition to tuition increases.

Although McCready and Terrell are unsure how they will be involved in the Y moving forward, McCready said they would work toward a “more collaborative and engaged Campus Y.”

“Laura and I really believe in the Y and that hasn’t changed at all today,” Terrell said.

Thomas said she especially wants to draw on the activist culture that McCready and Terrell emphasized.

She said using the diversity of ideas will allow the Campus Y to continue to be the “critical conscience” on campus.

Thomas said the success of the organization hinges on the relationships not just between members, but also with the outside community.

“We are most excited to continue fostering rich relationships,” she said.

The four candidates said they felt the race, rather than being divisive, provided an opportunity for them to come together and clarify the organization’s mission.

“It was an election about values and vision and the identity of the Y that we love,” Terrell said. “This process of debate and discussion has been really great for the Y.”

Tuesday’s race drew 230 voters out of the 504 members eligible to vote.

Thomas and Patel said they want to continue the Bonner Leaders program, which began this year at UNC. The program connects students with communities through an intensive service-oriented partnership.

The next co-presidents also said they want to work with the Social Innovation Incubator’s winners and help raise money to expand the effort.

Both said they want the Campus Y to serve as a place where people can have discussions that inspire change both within and outside the community, regardless of their passion.

“I think the Y is going great places,” said Allison Norman, current Campus Y co-president.

Contact the University Editor at university@dailytarheel.com.