Although Government of the Student Body officials have been pushing for shorter Ames City Council terms, uncertainty remains as to whether students will run if the term lengths are changed.

Erv Klaas, Ames Citizens for Better Local Government chairman, said several students have contacted him about running, but none have committed to campaigning for the next City Council election in November.

He said his organization was formed to recruit qualified candidates, including students, to run for city government.

“We encourage students to run,” Klaas said. “We would like to see more students interested in local politics. If they have the time, we would like to see them take an active role.”

Klaas said if students are interested in running for a council position, they need to announce it early.

“They have to get organized and get a committee organized and campaign,” Klaas said.

Mansoor Khadir, senior in computer science who was a coordinator for last fall’s New Voters Project, said he could not confirm or deny his interest in running.

He said he is focusing on turning out voters for the April 5 special election and will make a decision regarding campaigning after the election.

Henry Alliger, Government of the Student Body speaker of the senate, said he is also concentrating on the special election campaign.

Ryan Doll, Towers Residence Association senator, said he does not know yet if he wants to run for City Council.

“I am concerned with getting students to vote right now,” Doll said.

“We are just taking it one campaign at a time.”

There will be a meeting of the Ames Citizens for Better Local Government at 7 p.m. April 6, and a forum sponsored by the group at 2 p.m. April 24 on how to run for local office. Both meetings will be held at the Ames Public Library.