Before deciding to run for the council presidency last fall, Gusmorino had held every major position on the influential Student Affairs Committee of the council.

Despite his experience, however, the presidential race was one few thought he could win. After all, he was running against Stephen N. Smith ’02, one of the campus’ most visible political figures.

But Gusmorino’s goofiness, it turned out, proved more than a match for the suave Smith. Gusmorino captured the win with record margins.

The secret?

“Big signs. People love big signs,” Gusmorino reveals with a smile.

And if voters didn’t catch the signs, Gusmorino and his then-running mate, Sujean Lee ’03, also developed a campaign website with full-motion Flash animation that left the Smith team scrambling to improve their own website.

The week before the election, orange-clad Gusmorino volunteers mobbed the campus, focusing especially on the Yard.

Gusmorino recalls many sleepless night masterminding the effort, and ever since his election, he has devoted himself entirely to the council.

“He and his team worked to no end during that campaign and certainly outworked us,” Smith says. “It’s not uncommon for him to be awake at 3, 4, 5 a.m. doing productive things with his time.”

Gusmorino worked hard during the campaign, but didn’t waste much time celebrating his win. After a raucous victory party began to wind down, Gusmorino scanned the room and pulled a reporter aside. “You know what I have to do now?” he asked. “Start coding for UC Books.”

The project—a council website helping students find cheap textbooks—is one of only many student services initiatives that have marked Gusmorino’s tenure.

Hard work, many on the council say, has continued to define the Gusmorino presidency this fall as well.

“You know the old cliche, ‘You have to pick your battles’?” Plants asks. “Paul picks every one.”

From Campaign Promise To Reality

With Gusmorino at the helm, the council has experienced what has likely been its most whirlwind semester ever. After racking up so many victories, including moving the curfew for parties in House public spaces to 2 a.m., organizing Fallfest in the Quad, helping to stage a sold-out concert with the band Dispatch, building a website to help students to find the best deals on books and awarding the first-ever Marquand Prize for superior advising—some council members are wondering what is left to be done.