Two freshman Student Association senators broke the tradition of the freshman curse last week by winning SA Senate positions for next year.

Josh Rothstein and Joe Ardito, who both won Columbian School Senate seats, broke the trend of freshman senators who fail to stay involved with the SA after their first year.

The problem in the past, as long as I’ve been here, is that freshman senators sometimes stop coming to meetings, SA President Caity Leu said. Josh and Joe have really put their heart into it.

As members of presidential candidate Jeff Marootian’s ticket, they both campaigned for themselves and other candidates on the ticket.

I campaigned a lot more for Jeff than I did for myself, Ardito said. He regrets not campaigning enough for himself, he said.

I was confident – a little too confident, Ardito said. As the votes were being tallied, I thought I was edged out.

Both freshmen have aspirations to use the SA to create change on campus.

During several endorsement hearings, Rothstein said he realized the concerns of students.

I realized there are a lot of people that say things like, the `SA does nothing.’ But that’s not true, said Rothstein, citing GWopoly and other SA accomplishments.

One of Ardito’s top plans is for the five Columbian senators to have access to the CSAS Listserv so that the senators can publish a bi-monthly newsletter.

Ardito said he would like to see a stop sign posted at the corner of F and 21st streets, and to further integrate the Mount Vernon campus into Foggy Bottom.

Rothstein said he wanted to run for re-election after realizing he did not accomplish all his goals.

I want to focus on more of the positive things rather than the political infighting, he said.

Rothstein, who received endorsements from the College Democrats and College Republicans, said getting students out to the polls is more important than receiving endorsements.

I know a lot of students were beyond frustrated with the paper ballots, but voting no matter what is everyone’s duty, Ardito said. If you don’t vote, you don’t have a right to complain.

Rothstein plans to introduce a new elections charter that will establish a true joint election for the SA, Program Board and Marvin Center Governing Board.

Rising sophomores will occupy several CSAS seats and both at-large seats in the Senate, marking an increase in underclassman participation from past years. Ardito and Rothstein said they remain optimistic for next year.

I think it will give the Senate a new, fresh perspective, said Rothstein.