Handling multiple executive board positions may be hard for some students, but not for DuJuan Smith, a senior applied sociology/psychology major and a black studies minor. Election results were announced Friday for the 2004-’05 Black Student Union executive board positions.

Rachel Powe, BSU elections commissioner, announced Smith as BSU president, defeating Lonnie Pollard by 74 votes. Conicia Jackson, a sophomore political science major, will be the vice president; junior finance major Alexis Westbrook will be the treasurer; and Elizabeth Jackson, a junior early childhood studies major, will be the secretary.

Smith currently is the BSU treasurer and the director of organizational development for the Student Association.

Smith said there are many revisions he will make as president of the BSU. He said he would like to expand the executive board of the BSU by adding various director positions. He said he urges students to apply for these positions. To run, individuals must be NIU students with at least a 2.0 grade point average.

The addition of the positions will increase the BSU’s involvement at NIU and increase participation among students, Smith said.

Smith said he will work to establish a culture for the BSU. He said he will advertise BSU events more and present the organization in a more positive light. The BSU has the potential to be the powerhouse it was founded to be, Smith said.

Co-sponsorship is another goal Smith has for the organization. He said he does not want BSU co-sponsorship to be limited to black organizations only. Smith said he would like to co-sponsor events with organizations such as the Campus Activities Board and the Asian American Association.

Smith said he also wants to revitalize Lifeline, BSU’s official newspaper, and implement a BSU yearbook.

Smith also will be the Student Association treasurer for the 2004-’05 year.

“As treasurer, I would like to take an interpersonal approach with organizations,” he said. He said he will obtain a clear understanding about organizations and their programming when funding is requested. Smith also said he and Jarquetta Egeston, director of student life, are working to implement a Get out of Debt Office. Smith said the office would address financial issues such as paying off credit card and student loan debts.

Even though he now holds two executive board positions, Smith said he will have no problem maintaining his academics and the positions.

“I have a clear understanding of who I am,” he said.

Smith also said time management and prayer will help him to succeed for the next school year. He said his current positions have helped him gain a better understanding of the person he truly is.

“I do what I do now because the passion is there,” he said.