Ivy Hardy named speaker of next student congress

CLARIFICATION: Ivy Hardy said she was the first African-American woman to serve as UNC's Speaker of Student Congress, but that was incorrect.

Student Congress began Wednesday with members cheerfully singing “Happy Birthday” in early recognition of former Speaker Connor Brady’s birthday — and the sense of unity continued with several unanimous votes to approve people for leadership positions.

Members of the 96th Student Congress were inaugurated Tuesday . Wednesday’s meeting determined who would take over officer roles beginning next session.

“This is a more efficient congress than ever before,” Brady said, evoking soft laughter.

Former Finance Committee Vice Chair Ivy Hardy was chosen unanimously to replace Brady as speaker.  She was the sole candidat e.

Excited to fill Brady’s shoes as speaker, Hardy said she has four main points to her platform, including increasing Student Congress interaction outside of the meeting room and committee transparency.

“I want to unify congress through external meetings outside of congress,” Hardy said. “My second point is to give the Oversight and Advisory Committee more duties.

“I want them to collaborate with the Finance Committee to make sure student money is spent honestly and wisely. Right now we have sort of a trust system.”

A couple of officer positions, including the oversight and advocacy committee chair, were contested.

Questioned about how he would handle the challenges of his junior year, David Joyner , who won the chairmanship with a 12-11 vote, said he could strike a balance among his various activities.

“When it comes to time management, Student Congress and my fraternity position are the only leadership positions I hold,” Joyner said.

Brad Dunnagan and Bennett Vass took the floor, each with hopes of persuading congress members that they would make the best ethics committee chair.

Dunnagan won with a 14-9 vote.

While Dunnagan said accountability on the Ethics Committee has improved recently, he said he felt there was more to be done to better the situation.

“We’ve had major absences in just the past couple meetings,” Dunnagan said.

“Even with the stricter rules, it’s hard to maintain that accountability. That’s something I’d like to change as ethics chair.”

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