Union Board searching for new directors

The Indiana Memorial Union is looking for students to round out its board of directors for 2007.\nThe Union Board, which has brought various entertainment and educational events to campus since 1909, will be accepting applications through Nov. 14 for the 16 available positions.\nAny student not graduating before December 2007 who has at least a 2.0 GPA can apply for a director's position, according to a Union Board press release. Board members who are not graduating this year are eligible to run for re-election and will go through the same process as new candidates. \nSenior Katie Ly, UB concert director, said there are no additional requirements outside of completing the application, but the board is looking for strong candidates. \n"There is no standard for the type of person who would make a good Union Board director, and if you were to meet all of the current directors, you would see that we are all so different and we all bring to the table our best qualities," Ly said in an e-mail. \n"Generally speaking, a good UB director exhibits strong leadership skills and initiative. He or she also has good interpersonal skills since directors serve as representatives of the board and the University." \nSenior Cory Szybala, UB design director, said the selection committee will review each application and hold an informational meeting Nov. 15. Prospective board members then have until Nov. 28 to campaign, trying to garner as many friends as possible to vote for them. \n"It can be sort of a popularity contest," Szybala said.\nThe two-week campaign period concludes with a 24-hour online election, beginning at 8 p.m. Nov. 28.\nThe eight candidates with the most votes automatically earn a spot as a board member, while current UB student leaders will conduct interviews to determine who rounds out the 16 student director positions. According to the application, new directors must attend at least one board meeting after their selection, as well as a retreat the first weekend of second semester. There, they will learn the history of the IMU and their role as directors. \nLy said being a director is a "major time commitment," with weekly requirements including setting 15 office hours, chairing committee meetings and attending the Thursday board meetings. \n"It seems like a lot on the surface, but to prove how doable it is, several directors balance all these UB duties with other extracurriculars, full course loads and part-time jobs," Ly said. \nSzybala, who was a three-year committee member and now serves as a director, encourages students to consider becoming a board member. He talked about the good experiences and friendships formed through the student-run organization. \n"It's probably one of the best leadership opportunities I have had," he said. "It's difficult to match."\nApplications are available online at www.imu.indiana.edu and must be submitted to concerts@indiana.edu by 6 p.m. Nov. 14.