A special election which begins this morning will allow students to vote on an Arts & Sciences Council constitutional amendment and a referendum that would allow the College to formally thank Dean Ed Ayers for his service to the University.
The ASC amendment was introduced as a referendum during the regular spring elections, but technical errors prevented a valid result. The referendum deals with the representation on Council of small and interdisciplinary departments in the College.
An error in the voting process allowed all University students to vote on the referendum rather than solely students in the College, said ASC President Erica Siegmund.
The other referendum students will be able to vote on would extend thanks to Ayers, who will be leaving the University to become president of the University of Richmond at the end of this semester.
"We have the opportunity to support him, give him a goodbye and let him know that he has done a good job," Siegmund said. "It's a great opportunity to let him know that the student body recognizes that."
According to UBE Vice Chair Neha Kumar, one of the primary concerns of the special election is making sure College students get out and vote.
"We want to try and get the word out as much as possible and to get the student body [of the College] involved," Kumar said.
Siegmund echoed a similar sentiment, noting that even though she "didn't sense very much opposition" to the constitutional amendment referendum, "the problem is getting people out to vote in elections."
One of the reasons the election is being held this week is because it is ASC's College Week, Siegmund said, noting that she believes this will "help get people to vote."
Logistically, the election will follow the same format as regular elections, according to UBE member Christopher Jones.
"You go to the same Web site and students will vote on there," Jones said, noting that the significant change is that "only College students will be able to vote."
The polls will close 6 p.m. Friday.
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