UF's Student Body treasurer-elect will be getting an early start on his new job.
Paul Drayton, former Student Senate budget and appropriations chairman, was elected Tuesday night to fill the spot after former Student Body Treasurer E.J. Walicki announced his resignation on March 4. Drayton was elected treasurer in spring Student Government elections and was scheduled to start May 1.
However, he was one of three candidates nominated by Walicki to take over as interim treasurer for the rest of the semester.
Walicki told senators he needed to return home to Baltimore to be with his family following his father's death in January.
The three nominated candidates became two when Sen. Suzelle Guinart, who represents District D, denied her nod. Drayton and Loc Nguyen, a sophomore who was assistant treasurer under Walicki, were up for a Senate vote. Drayton won 67-8.
As treasurer, Drayton will manage SG's $13.2 million budget.
Nguyen said Drayton deserved the position because of his experience with SG finances.
Senate President Kellie Dale said Drayton would be sworn in as treasurer today.
Drayton, who resigned his Senate seat to fill the position, said serving as treasurer in this interim period before his inauguration wouldn't produce any "drastic" changes.
"I'll just pretty much continue what E.J. did," Drayton said to senators before results were announced. "Nothing special."
A resolution commending Walicki's service as treasurer was approved unanimously at the meeting.
Senators also approved a bill that will distribute unused SG funds to groups that can use the money - part of Drayton's plan to implement a mid-year review of SG budget expenses, he said.
