IUSA elections to change

A resolution to amend the IU Student Association bylaws and name the supreme court chief justice as the elections coordinator was passed by Congress Nov. 30. \n"I really like the idea," said junior Jacob Oakman, Willkie Quad senator. \nSenior Aaron Johnson, vice president for Congress, said, "I think this move gives the IUSA supreme court chief justice more of a well-rounded look, from the beginning phases of student government."\nThe responsibilities of the elections coordinator include overseeing the election of the Commitment to Assist Student Initiatives funding board, coordinating activities of election commissioners, executing the decisions of the election commission and acting as a voting member and chair of the election commission, according to the IUSA resolution.\n"The elections coordinator acts to inform candidates of the rules and regulations within the elections code and should be knowledgeable of the organization, structure and constitution and bylaws," states the resolution sponsored by IUSA president and senior Meredith Suffron. \n"There seems to be a lot of support for this change among Congress members," Suffron said. She also noted one of the reasons for this change is the trouble they are having finding a election coordinator for this year.\nDuties of the supreme court chief justice include executing the duties of the role of elections coordinator, this is why IUSA wants to combine the two positions.\n"I think the process will work better now," said Chief Justice Robert Cioffi, a junior.\nTo make such changes to IUSA bylaws, there must be a two-thirds majority in congress. Congress passed the decision 32-0-0 to override the bylaws. The resolution then went on to pass 29-1-0.\n"This process not only gives the chief justice more insight on the election process for candidates for student government, but it also leads way for other justices to grow and learn as well," said Johnson. "This process is going to help benefit all forthcoming chief justices because the chief can establish communication with other justices about the responsibilities of the job throughout the year, therefore, the training period would not be as difficult."\nThe election commission was also appointed at the meeting. It is the job of the president to appoint the commission, and the appointments must be approved by two-thirds of congress members present and voting. Congress approved the appointments by a 29-0-0 vote.\n"I have faith in these people. Now they will be able to settle deadlines and move on with the election in the spring," said Suffron.