It’s that time of year again: consistently irregular weather, post-Valentine’s Day discounted chocolates-  and Hamline Undergraduate Congress (HUSC) election season.

Though voting does not start for a couple more weeks, applications for HUSC positions closed last Friday at 5 p.m. Applicants had the choice of applying to be President, Vice President, or a first-year, sophomore or junior class representative.

There are three presidential teams running for the 2018-2019 year: current HUSC Student Organization’s Chair junior Ikram Mohamud for Vice President, with current HUSC Secretary and sophomore Liam Temple for President, sophomore Ray Doss for Vice President with Emily Lincoln for President, and Oubeida Alassani Ouro-Akondo for Vice President, with Raie Gessesse for President. More information on their platforms will be released within the next couple of weeks.

In the weeks to come, one can expect that HUSC representatives will be present in Anderson Center, encouraging students to vote. In past years, HUSC has used free T-shirts and water bottles as prizes to entice students into voting. Those running for HUSC positions may also be campaigning in Anderson and hanging posters all around campus, as has been tradition in the past.

The elected HUSC representatives will be announced after elections close the week of Mar. 9.

Talk of new elections has allowed current HUSC President junior Sara Antony to reflect on what the current HUSC administration has been able to accomplish.

“I am really proud of the increased representation of students on campus-wide committee. In recent years there has been tensions between students and the administration, especially when students were not consulted regarding major changes. Increasing student representation and the ability to voice our concerns is one way to start bridging this gap,” Antony said.

On top of providing a voice for the student body, Antony is also proud of the current HUSC administration’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.

“I am also proud of the steps we are taking to create a campus that is welcoming to all people. We have focused much of our term on diversity inclusion, DACA and accessibility issues,” Antony said.

One of the events that HUSC was involved in this year was the Diversity Summit on Islamophobia, a collaboration event between HUSC and the Multicultural Alliance which took place last November. The event brought over 100 students, staff, faculty and community members together to discuss Islamophobia.

Another was HUSC’s approval of the contingency fund for the Feminist Liberation and Intersectionality Coalition (FLIC).

Antony says that though her position as President of HUSC has been demanding, it has also been rewarding to work with Hamline students.

“I have loved my term as HUSC president. It can be a stressful and draining job at times, but it has also come with some amazing opportunities. My favorite part is definitely getting to know more of my peers, faculty, alumni and staff and learn about the incredible things that happen throughout our campus. Our Executive Board and Representatives this year were extremely passionate and talented, and it was a joy to be a part of the positive impact they have on Hamline.”

Though Antony will officially finish her term as President at the end of this academic school year, she hopes to continue to stay a part of HUSC for her senior year.

“I plan to continue my involvement in HUSC next year. I am running as a senior class representative and I plan to attend meetings and events, regardless of if I am elected again.”

Voting for representatives will take place from 8 a.m. on Mar. 6 through 7 p.m. on Mar. 8. Students interested in learning more about the candidates and their platforms may attend HUSC’s General Assembly in GLC 100E on Tuesday, Feb. 27, during Convo Hour for an informal Q&A with the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates.