New MSU executive, president take office

This week marks the beginning of the new year for the McMaster Students Union.

Joining president Marc Marzotto in office for the year are Bryce Rudyk, vice-president education; Sam Minnitti, vice-president administration; and Toby Whitfield, vice-president finance.

Marc Marzotto was elected in February by the student body. The
other positions were elected by the members of the Student Representative Assembly (SRA).

Marzotto, originally from Windsor, Ontario, graduated with an honours bachelor of commerce with a minor in dramatic arts this year. He has been involved in a variety of organizations and student groups at McMaster. Besides being an active member of the McMaster Commerce Society executive and serving as its president in 1999-2000, he has been a floor representative at McKay Hall, a member of the University Senate, and involved within the McMaster Students Union.

“I am looking forward to continuing my work for student causes at McMaster, and I am honoured to serve as the president of the McMaster Students Union,” he says.

Bryce Rudyk has just finished an honours science degree in biology with a minor in classics. For the past year he has been a member of both the SRA and the MSU executive. Rudyk has also been involved with human rights advocacy with the Ontario Public Interest Research Group and has lectured at Ontario universities on the struggle for human rights in Burma. Rudyk plans to advocate for student rights through his portfolio, vice-president education. He is originally from Orangeville.

During Sam Minniti's past three years at McMaster as a life sciences
student, he has been actively involved in student life. In his first year, Minniti served as a McMaster Science Society Representative, and for the past two years he has been a hall co-ordinator for
Hedden Hall. He has also enjoyed being a teacher's assistant for Italian, a member of the SRA for the Faculty of Science, and associated with various committees including the Welcome Week Advisory Council and the Student Health Advisory Group.

“I definitely look forward to the challenges that lie ahead this year for the McMaster Students Union, and I am excited about the transition that this campus is undergoing with the construction of the new University Centre,” says Minniti.

The MSU's new vice-president finance, Toby Whitfield, is completing a double major in honours economics and history. Originally from Toronto, Whitfield has been involved in the MSU since his arrival at McMaster. He previously served on the MSU External Affairs, Finance, and University Affairs committees, and was a member of the SRA.

“As a member of the board of directors, I look forward to working with the MSU and the University to continue serving students,” says Whitfield.