IUSA president might run again

IU Student Association President Jake Oakman might attempt to accomplish something that has been done only once in the history of the student organization. Thursday, the senior confirmed rumors he is considering running for a second term.\nAn IUSA President has served two terms only once. Dave Orensten served as president during the 1997-98 and 1998-99 school years. \nOakman said it is a possibility but not something he has thought about in-depth.\nOakman will be graduating in May, but he is considering attending the IU Law School next year.\nThat decision, clearly, will have an impact on whether he runs, he said. But Oakman has not spent a large amount of time considering the IUSA decision.\n"The decision about IUSA doesn't have to be made until February," Oakman said. "I just threw it out."\nOakman said he finds it is more important to get things done this year and keep up with his classes. \nIUSA Vice President of Administration Jeff Wuslich, a sophomore, said he has not yet thought about next year's election.\n"I'm trying to focus on this year and get things done," Wuslich said.\nAnother year in office would allow Oakman to continue with this year's projects. Oakman said he would consider running "if there are certain (projects) that took longer than a year."\nThe continuity would add credibility to the organization, Wuslich said.\n"What we are working on this year could be dumped by the administration next year," he said.\nStudent organizations have a large turnover rate because of the limited one year term. \nOakman's current position means that he is already knowledgeable about and acclimated to the job. "He knows what the job requires," Wuslich said.\nThe short terms also allow for new voices to be heard.\n"Sometimes it is good to let new blood come in," Oakman admitted.\nTypically the president helps to appoint people to the election committee, but in Orensten's case it would have meant a conflict of interest, so he gave the responsibility to the election commissioner. \nOrensten wanted to continue on as president because of the projects he was working on during his first term.\n"Some people wanted to start anew," Orensten said. "I knew the person who was running was not very supportive of the things I was doing, and I did not think that person would do a good job."\nOakman said he has confidence in the current IUSA members and their abilities.\n"There are a lot of people I'd feel comfortable with leaving in charge," Oakman said. "There are definitely a lot of people who could take over."\nLet the students decide, said senior Ben Piper, IUSA director of legislative relations.\n"I'm a big fan of competitive elections where anybody can run," he said. "I think students are perceptive and capable of making right decisions."\nIf Oakman were to run again and win, he would be executing the position as a graduate student. Currently, five of 11 graduate positions in IUSA are not filled.