Following a significant decline in voter turnout, the 2026 Student Government Association election concluded with a Presidential re-election, a new student trustee and 86.31% of voters in favor of increasing the Student Activities Fee.
The Elections Report showed that 40.75% supported a $44 increase to the fee, which would result in an increase of $170,000 to $228,000 for Registered Student Organizations (RSO’s) in the 2026-27 school year.
28.61% of students voted for a $35 increase per semester, while 16.93% voted for a $25 increase per semester. 13.69% voted for no raise.
In a meeting on Feb. 11, the SGA voted to approve a $10.50 increase in the fee per semester to allocate more to RSOs on campus.
In the presidential election, 1,639 votes were cast, making up 6.87% of students, a drastic decrease in voter turnout compared to the 16.9% seen last year.
The incumbent, Michael Borowski, a sophomore public policy major, was re-elected with James Carroll, an individual concentration and Afro-American studies major, as his Vice President.
They received 90.07% percent after the other ticket was invalidated by the SGA Elections Commission.
Ashley Chamu Charco, a political science and legal studies major, was elected as the University Student Trustee, claiming 52% of the vote, 118 votes more than Noa Sigel.
Of the 45 Undergraduate Senate seats, only 32 are occupied. The remaining seats are set to be filled next year after an interview process is conducted. The Class of 2029 has the most seats occupied in the Senate, with only one spot for their class remaining unfilled.
In addition to the increase in the Student Activities Fee, two other referendum questions were also passed.
The second referendum question asked students if they support creating “formal avenues for student oversight and transparency on UMass Foundation investments.” The referendum passed with 94.76% of the vote.
The third referendum discussed policy regarding e-mobility devices, including electric scooters and electric bikes on campus.
64.17% voters reported having a near-miss collision with e-mobility devices since the beginning of the fall semester and 9.37% said they have been in an accident or hit. Over 30% of voters said they would like to see e-mobility devices banned on campus.
Olivia Pang can be reached at [email protected].
