Associated Students, Inc., will hold its annual student elections Tuesday, April 24 and Wednesday, April 25 from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

With the elections just around the corner, ASI wants students to be aware of the election process and important election dates.

The deadline to turn in applications is Friday, April 6. Students can pick up election packets at the Student Affairs office in Lassen Hall, Room 3008. All forms, unless otherwise noted, must be turned in to the Student Affairs office from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. by April 6.

ASI has been promoting the upcoming election this semester in numerous ways. “We?ve run two ads in the Hornet and we are providing information to groups and organizations on campus,” said Carol Ackerson, ASI executive director.

As a result of a motion passed at ASI?s Feb. 28 meeting, the Lobby Corp has become more involved.

“Lobby Corp has been working on promoting this election with fliers and by word-of-mouth any place that students are gathered,” Ackerson said.

Ackerson had some suggestions for students who are thinking about running for an office in this upcoming election.

“In the recent years we have had students forming slates,” Ackerson said. “These are groups who support the same issues who are combining together on the same slate.” Ackerson also suggested that, although students do not have to join a slate, they need to think about where their support would come from and then target and focus their energy on that group.

There are criteria that students must meet in order to be able to run for an ASI office. “Students need to have a 2.5 GPA,” Ackerson said.

Ackerson pointed out that this GPA could come from the overall CSUS GPA or a transfer GPA.

“Students also have to have taken so many units at Sac State,” Ackerson said.

Ackerson stated that the best way to find out all of the information is to pick up a packet at Lassen Hall 3008 that will have all of the information that students need.

After the April 6 deadline, candidates will have the opportunity to discuss important campus-wide issues at a roundtable debate scheduled for April 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Pub. This is a chance for candidates to have an informal discussion on issues affecting the university.

“It is kind of a free for all,” Ackerson said.

In addition to debates set up by ASI, every candidate is required to attend one workshop. “I sit down and go through the election process with candidates,” Ackerson said. “I highlight what they need to be concerned about when they are running.” Ackerson believes that students who are elected to these ASI positions can make a difference.

“You serve as the students? voice,” Ackerson said. “You really get an opportunity to have an input and it is an incredible real-world experience.”

“ASI gives many students the opportunity to take what they have learned in the classroom and apply it to the real world,” Ackerson said.