Forty seats in the Student Association Senate are up for election this week.

Voting will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday in DuSable Hall, Holmes Student Center and Founders Memorial Library. A valid NIU OneCard is needed for voting.

The Student Association is the student government on campus that acts as the voice of the students. The organization serves as a liaison between the student population and the university, said Andrew Nelms, speaker of the senate for the SA. Nelms said the SA works with policies and initiatives before they’re implemented and makes sure there is student input on decisions before they are made.

The election dates are set within SA bylaws to take place on the last consecutive Tuesday and Wednesday in September, Nelms said. He said the intention is to give students and candidates enough time to prepare for the election.

This year, 51 candidates are running for the 40 open senate seats, said John Acardo, SA chief of staff. Of the seats available, eight senators will represent each of the five districts that make up the NIU community.

Candidates are required to fill out paperwork stating their intention to run, Nelms said.

After the election, senators will attend approximately 21 senate meetings, proposing and debating legislation and serving on various committees, Nelms said.

Results will be announced Wednesday after the election.

The first senate meeting is 6 p.m. Oct. 3 in the HSC’s Clara Sperling Sky Room.

All 51 candidates were e-mailed surveys to their NIU account, the results of which will be posted on the Northern Star Web site. Candidates who do not return the form will have only their name featured.

The Student Association provides …

– The Huskie Bus Line

– Organization Expo

– Health Enhancement Services

– Student Recreation Center funds

– Campus Child Care

– Student Legal Services

– The Book Exchange

Source: www.sa.niu.edu

Senate voting districts composed of students residing in …

District 1 – Stevenson Towers, University Plaza and Neptune Hall

District 2 – Lincoln Hall, Douglas Hall and Grant Towers

District 3 – DeKalb, west of the Kishwaukee River and excluding students residing is districts 1 and 2

District 4 – North – DeKalb city limit; East – Kishwaukee River; South – Lucinda Ave.; West – Annie Glidden Road. This district excludes University Plaza.

District 5 – DeKalb east of the Kishwaukee River and all students outside city limits during the academic year, not including the summer semester.

Source: www.sa.niu.edu