Students living in Hawthorn Court will vote today to determine whether or not they will be represented by the Inter-Residence Hall Association. Hawthorn Court resident Steve Medanic is helping to coordinate the student elections. He said there should be some form of government for students in Hawthorn Court to voice their concerns about the Department of Residence. “We’ve had flyers at Hawthorn Court, and we’ve been having information meetings [about the elections],” said Medanic, senior in physics. Medanic also developed a Web site, www.public.iastate.edu/~maddboy/, to inform residents about the constitution referendum. The site contains a copy of the constitution and a pro-and-con list of reasons to belong to the Inter-Residence Hall Association. “I think to pass and join IRHA, [the students] gain representation and a voice in the [Department of Residence],” Medanic said. “They would lose very little.” According to the constitution, the residents would be able to make changes to the document in the future, and they will be able to bring up important issues regarding students living in the apartment complex. Also, the fate of Tom Plagge’s and Chris Benson’s term as IRHA president and vice president rests in the hands of these students. Since being elected last spring, the two decided to move into the student apartments, which currently are outside IRHA jurisdiction. To remain at their posts, the residents must vote for the constitution. “We’re staying out of it,” said Plagge, senior in physics. “We don’t want to make it personal.” If the students vote against the constitution, the two will be impeached by the IRHA parliament or will have to step down voluntarily. “It’s not a second chance to elect us; it’s a chance for the students to see how they’ll live,” said Benson, senior in animal science. Plagge said neither of them are wary of their future because the students know what will be good for them. “I’m not nervous – not necessarily because I’m sure I’ll win,” Plagge said. “It’s because whatever choice the students make will be the best. I’m sure some form of government will take hold.” Students will be able to vote for the constitution and an open-doors policy, which will let the residents decide when they want the doors in all the buildings to be unlocked.