Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe April 23 (UPI) -- A "squirrel" who won a seat on the student senate at the University of California Berkeley said the campaign started as a joke but he plans to get serious. Stephen Boyle, who was elected to the Associated Students of the University of California Senate as his squirrel-suited alias, "Furry Boi," said the campaign started with a meme he made for Facebook. Advertisement "I started thinking how that was a very viable idea and I started going through the process of filing for candidacy, going on Amazon finding a squirrel suit," Boyle told KPIX-TV. Boyle said that while it started as a joke, he plans to use his seat on the senate to push for action when it comes to the environment, disabilities and mental illness. "It was a joke at first, but I'm here to make a lot of change," Boyle said. The election of Furry Boi came with some backlash on campus. Student newspaper the Daily Cal called the election a "travesty." Boyle said he plans to win over his detractors. "Only actions speak louder than words, and I promise you people that I upset, I'll follow through," Boyle said. Advertisement He said he plans to retire the squirrel suit now that he's been elected. Read More Baby squirrel that fell from tree gets neon green cast Zoo theft attempt foiled when monkeys fight back College student uses CPR to save drowning squirrel Backyard camera catches talking crow saying 'Hello' to squirrel