Senator Erik Rowles Elected to CyRide Board of Trustees
In an exciting turn of events during the recent Student Government meeting on January 22, 2025, at Memorial Union in Ames, Iowa, Senator Erik Rowles emerged victorious in the race for the Senate’s CyRide Board of Trustees representative position. As a junior majoring in industrial design, Rowles clinched the win after competing against Sen. Jake Snyder, a senior in public relations. The final vote tally stood at 13 to 11 in favor of Rowles, with seven senators opting to abstain from voting.
Rowles’ Vision for CyRide
Upon securing the prestigious position, Senator Rowles wasted no time in sharing his vision for CyRide and why he believed he was the right candidate for the role. Rowles highlighted the critical role that CyRide plays in the Ames community, emphasizing its significance as one of the most crucial organizations in the area. Drawing attention to the impressive ridership statistics that once placed the campus at the third spot nationally, Rowles underscored the need for continuous improvement and innovation within CyRide to better serve the student population.
Prior Experience and Commitment
While this victory marked a significant milestone for Senator Rowles, it was not his first attempt at securing a position on the CyRide Board of Trustees. Despite facing defeat in the previous election, Rowles remained undeterred in his commitment to enhancing the transportation system on campus. Through ongoing dialogue with key stakeholders such as board members and the CyRide director, Rowles demonstrated his dedication to understanding the challenges faced by students, particularly concerning late-night transportation services like Safe Ride and the Moonlight Express.
Student-Centric Approach
Looking ahead, Senator Rowles outlined his plans to engage directly with students to gather feedback and insights on how CyRide can better meet their needs and expectations in the upcoming year. By prioritizing student input and preferences, Rowles aims to steer CyRide towards a more student-centric model that reflects the diverse transportation requirements of the campus community. Emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement, Rowles reiterated his commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration and responsiveness within CyRide.
Other Senate Developments
In addition to Senator Rowles’ election, the recent Student Government meeting also saw several other significant appointments and changes within the Senate. Abigail Squires, a junior majoring in chemistry, assumed the role of the Senate’s first sergeant at arms, responsible for leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Furthermore, Sen. Suryansh Mishra, a senior studying environmental engineering, was appointed as the non-profit coordinator, while Sen. Ryker Markus, a first-year student in agricultural and life sciences education, joined the Rules Committee, signaling a new chapter of leadership and innovation within the Senate.
As the Senate embarks on a new era of governance and service, the election of Senator Rowles to the CyRide Board of Trustees heralds a promising future for transportation initiatives at Iowa State University, setting the stage for enhanced connectivity and accessibility for students across the campus.
