The university’s student trustee will retain his position on its Board of Trustees, but its undergraduate government will answer to a new president during the 2013-14 school year.

More than 1,000 students cast their ballots on Desire2Learn Wednesday and Thursday to re-elect incumbent Jesse Cler, who won 702-563 against opponent Nolan Sharkey, as student trustee on the university’s Board of Trustees for the next school year. Adrian Miller, who ran unopposed in his Undergraduate Student Government president candidacy, will also serve his term during the new school year.

Cler, a junior from Penfield studying agribusiness and plant and soil sciences, said he tries to make a positive impact with his campus work.

“It’s very exhilarating to be able to know that you can continue to make a difference on this campus,” he said.

He said Sharkey congratulated him personally via Facebook after the results released Thursday evening.

“I would like to (say) congratulations to Cler,” Sharkey said. “My campaign team ran a strong campaign. Most importantly, thank you to all my supporters.”

Both Cler and Miller said they will now focus on helping the student voice be heard.

Miller, a sophomore from Carbondale studying political science, said the presidential role isn’t specifically defined beyond representing the undergraduate student body and leading the government. However, he said he hopes to simplify the allocations process and make it fair for all students. USG is in charge of about $360,000 to allocate to Registered Student Organizations.

Miller said he is ready for every responsibility that will come with his presidency.

“When you’re in a leadership position such as president, everyone wants to put the blame on you,” Miller said. “I’m that type of guy that I’m OK with that. I’m willing to accept blame for something I may have not been involved in, but if it’s under me … I accept that responsibility.”

After recent issues with Cler’s removal and re-addition to the ballot, Miller said he hopes to clarify the rules regarding the election process. The rules are old, outdated and should be amended, he said, and he plans to work with the Graduate Professional Student Council to ensure future issues do not arise.

closely together to represent the student body and resolve issues.

“(Cler’s) role is extremely important to the university,” Miller said. “He really cares about the university, and he really cares about the students.”

Cler served as a non-voting trustee during the 2012-2013 school year since only one student trustee has voting power and SIU-Edwardsville student trustee David Hamilton has the vote. The vote rotates based on the governor’s decision, Cler said, and he hopes he will receive voting power.

He said he wants to make sure the advisory board and others who make decisions do so out of the students’ best interests instead of individual interests.

“There’s been a lot of board problems that really need to be worked out,” he said.

Students often like to blame the university for funding issues, he said, but the state is where the issues lie as it falls short on university payments every year.

“When (students) blame the university, they lose faith and passion for the university,” he said.

Cler said he can be on campus and involved to better to portray the student perspective to administration. He said he tries to attend events and socialize to meet and talk to as many people as possible. He said students become more passionate and involved when they know an issue affects something they are involved in.