IUSA elections begin with executive party decided

IU Student Association elections begin at 9 a.m. today and conclude 9 p.m. Wednesday. \nWhile there is only one executive party running for office, the current administration and candidates said they think students’ votes are important for the well-being of the University.\nStudents can vote in less than 60 seconds, said Andrew Lauck, the current IUSA vice president. After 9 a.m. students can go to www.indiana.edu/~iusa and click on the button or link for voting. They then can log in with their IU usernames and passwords and the screen will go to the one-page ballot.\nIUSA represents the interests of students before the administration, but a student government is only as strong as the students behind it, said Alexandra Chtchedrina, funding aid board candidate. A low voter turnout will give an inaccurate impression of apathy, she said.\n“Current administration has already shown strong signs of absolutism,” she said. “It has allowed notoriously little input from the student body in the selection process of (the) future IU president. Low voter turnout will only increase their absolutist tendencies.”\nShe said she is not suggesting the administration has conspired against students, but “student rights should not be left to the good will of administrators.”\n“If elected, I’m going to be responsible for the allocation of $300,000, and an annual fund made up of mandatory student activity fees,” she said. “By voting, you show me that you care how your money will be spent.”\nLauck agreed.\n“Voting at least emphasizes that (students) care about the mission of IUSA,” he said.\nCongressional seats are still up in the air. The positions without previous applicants will be decided by write-in votes during the election, and because of that, the election is very important, he said.\n“Right now we’re trying to get all of our (candidates) in congress,” said W.T. Wright, Hoosier president-elect. “With the support of all the people on congress, it will make it more efficient in making the changes we want.”\n Congressional candidates represent more specific groups of students, said Joe DeJean, the party’s vice president-elect.\n“The congressional candidates represent the different academic and residential areas around campus, and we want to hear those voices,” he said.\nAnthony Smith, a funding aid board candidate, pointed out that some positions are still up for grabs.\n“I believe it is still important for students to vote regardless of how many parties are running, because it shows that students are conscious and well-engaged in the electoral process,” Smith said.