In the midst of the faculty unionization, the absentee policy and the potential shuttle fee, the time for electing the new leaders for University students has begun.

Undergraduate Student Government members are beginning their campaigns for senate seats as well as president and vice president positions for the 2010-11 academic year.

Election week is not until Mar. 29-Apr. 2, but candidates have already gotten started in gaining supporters.

Although no official announcements have been made at USG’s General Assembly meetings, there are currently two different candidates in the race for presidency: current Vice President Kevin Basch with running mate and City Liaison Daniel Caldwell and At-Large Senator Clayton Stewart with Off-Campus Senator Brandon Double.

Basch has served on USG since he was a freshman, and said he would love nothing more than to finish his four-year run at the University again working for the students.

Stewart, another candidate for presidency, is best known for working with the Jerome Library officials for a $500,000 deck renovation.

And while Caldwell, a candidate for vice presidency, became the City Liaison this year, where he works with the city on issues such as housing, Double wrote a resolution of disappointment after the tearing down of the Sigma Phi Epsilon and Phi Kappa Tau fraternity houses.

All the candidates come with their own ideas and plans for the next school year if they win.

“In most organizations, the president is sort of the ‘boss,’ while in USG, the president’s role is quite different,” Basch said.

He said because the president and vice president cannot vote with senators or write resolutions themselves, their job consists of other duties.

“Ultimately, being USG president is about providing leadership and building trust,” he said.

Stewart said a USG leader in general is someone who is a good role model for the organization and community.

“I believe a USG leader should be the one who helps inspire students to step up and take the lead for themselves,” Stewart said.

“They also should help generate discussion and ideas,” he said. “A leader should always be questioning things and trying to find solutions.”

Many rules are set by USG for the candidates involved, such as a completed academic year of serving on USG before becoming president. Also, according to a packet listing the election rules, procedures and guidelines given out to USG members, candidates must maintain a G.P.A. of 2.5 and “be responsible for upholding the Undergraduate Student Government Constitution.”

Each candidate also was required to submit a petition with 100 signatures and attend an election information session presented by the Procedures and Appeals Board.

After the requirements, candidates were allowed to campaign as they wished. Both parties have made Facebook groups to reach the student body, each group reaching over 600 potential supporters.

Separate debates are planned for both the president and vice president candidates, which will be organized by the Procedures and Appeals Board and open to the campus community. The date, time and location are still being planned.

“[A]s an advisor, I hope that each elected president is dedicated to the mission of USG and the position they have been elected to, has a positive attitude and is committed to bettering BGSU,” said Dean of Students Jill Carr. “It is really up to the students to decide what to look for in a USG president.”