New members will fill the Student Government Association at Bakersfield College after the online elections on March 8 and 9.

This year, 941 students voted, around 350 less votes than last year. Joyce Coleman, the dean of students, said members will start training with the current SGA immediately to prepare them for their positions, which officially start in June. To help them become more effective leaders, she explained members will attend a National Student Leadership Conference in Atlanta.

The winners of the SGA election include: president, Tawntannisha Thompson; vice president, Gilbert Hernandez; treasurer, Richard Villanueva; secretary, Toccara Byrd; legislative liaison, Bonnie Wilson; general council, Derrick Kenner; and activities liaison, Theresa Hall.

Even though some candidates went unopposed, Byrd explained that any student has the right to be written in on a ballot for the SGA. Certain candidates, she said, were taken off the final ballot at the last minute due to paper work that was not turned in on time.

During their new term, Coleman said members will start working where the last SGA left off, as well as bring in new ideas to help benefit the student body.

As the new general council, Kenner said he would like to extend the hours of the library to make it easier for students involved in sports or who are taking night classes to study.