Straight from the horse’s mouth: “I’m one of those 50 percent of the student body who has no idea what GSB does,” said Jonathan Bracewell, junior in political science and candidate for Government of the Student Body off-campus senator, during Tuesday night’s GSB candidate debates.

In response to a question from the debate’s moderator on what Bracewell’s plans are as a candidate to help students on campus, he answered, “Let me find out what I can do first.”

Of the 37 senate seats up for grabs, none are being contested – there were three candidates competing for the two College of Agriculture seats, but with the appointment of Mitchell Hayek as Chief Justice of the GSB Supreme Court Wednesday, only two candidates remain for the dual seats. The other 20 candidates listed on the ballot face no competition, and at least another 15 seats will be filled by write-in votes because no one bothered to run.

This was the resonating message during the debate, becoming the focus of audience questions and the recurring theme among the candidates’ top priorities for GSB.

There was consensus between the executive slates (Alliger/Nelson and Jensen/Faber) that improvement is drastically needed throughout GSB to better educate students of its relevance to student life.

“We need to hold GSB members to a higher standard,” said Emily Jensen, GSB presidential candidate and current chief of staff for the GSB cabinet, during the debate.

“Students need to see a GSB that is doing meaningful things that are of relevance to their lives,” said Henry Alliger, Jensen’s competitor for GSB president and current GSB off-campus senator, at the debate.

With the election a week away (March 3 to 6) the Daily has created a guide to GSB as an introduction to its function and the election candidates.

Government of the Student Body

What is it?

GSB was formed by ISU students to legislate and administer student policy and allocate student fees to student clubs and organizations on campus.

It also represents students on issues of concern. Most recently, GSB has done this on issues affecting tuition at Iowa State, student voice and representation within the city of Ames’ government with the creation of a student advisory committee to the Ames City Council and lobbying for the creation of a light rail system (the Dinkey) in Ames. GSB also is partnering and spearheading a Pick-a-Prof rating system on campus, creating a student housing guide and off-campus house party guide.

GSB has held forums and represented student concern to the Story County Board of Supervisors in regard to the passed county keg ordinance.

How does it work?

GSB is composed of three branches, similar to the state and federal government: an executive branch, legislative branch and judicial branch.

Executive Branch: Headed by the GSB president and vice president, who are elected by students, the president appoints GSB directors who comprise the GSB cabinet. Together, they make the executive branch of GSB.

GSB members interact with student groups, plan university-wide events, handle diversity issues, work to improve campus safety and parking and serve as a liaison between students and administrators.

Current GSB President:

Angela Groh; [email protected]

Current GSB Vice President:

Chris Deal; [email protected]

Legislative Branch: The GSB senate represents and develops policy for the student body. Members are elected each spring to represent each college and living area at Iowa State. Senate meetings are 7 p.m. every Wednesday in the Memorial Union.

The main job of the senate is to allocate student fees to student groups. Senators, as well as GSB cabinet members, also sit on university committees.

Current Speaker of the Senate:

Greg Shepherd; [email protected]

Judicial Branch: Students appointed by the GSB president and confirmed by the senate, members of the judicial branch are responsible for enforcing and interpreting the GSB constitution, and are responsible for determining the constitutionality of senate and executive decisions. The court also rules on cases between students and student groups.

Current Chief Justice of the GSB Supreme Court: Mitchell Hayek; [email protected]

What does GSB do?

Works with the ISU administration on policy and represent students and appoints students to university committees, such as the Student Fees Committee

Represents students before the Board of Regents and the Iowa General Assembly

Allocates students’ activity fees to various clubs and organizations

GSB allocates nearly $1.5 million to student organizations and university services.

For more information about GSB, visit its website.

How do I contact my student representatives on GSB?

Stop by the GSB office in G1 of the Memorial Union

Call the GSB office at (515) 294-5239

E-mail and visit the GSB Web site at www.gsb.iastate.edu

– Compiled by Tom Barton from the GSB Web site, bylaws, constitution and informational pamphlets