IUSA Elections process to start

The IU Student Association begins its election season today.

At 8 p.m. in the Indiana Memorial Union’s Georgian Room, there will be an informational call-out meeting for all candidates who intend to participate in this year’s elections.

The purpose of the informal meeting is to learn about the timeline and to ask questions, said Luke Fields, IUSA president.

The informational meeting is also a time to prepare for the competition.

Any student is eligible to run in the elections as long as he or she is in good academic standing.

“No experience is required,” Fields said. “However, it is helpful to have experience with other student groups.”

Even though the elections code will not be finalized until a Feb. 10 congress meeting, the code as it stands now will be explained at the informational meeting.

A good majority of the code will not change. One of the proposed changes is the way the votes will be collected, said Dan Sloat, IUSA vice president.

The informational meeting is just the start to a very long election process.

“Be ready for a full two months,” Fields said. “Surround yourself with a ticket and staff of people who are committed to the student body.”

Members of a ticket should know how to utilize their time and focus on the campaign as well as have cohesion with each other and the student body, Fields and Sloat agreed.

Students planning on participating in this year’s election are recommended to go to both informational sessions to ensure their credibility.