Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part series explaining the issues that students will be voting on Feb. 4 and 5.

In next week’s elections, students will be asked to vote on a proposed amendment to the Student Body Constitution involving qualifications for the Student City Council Liaison.

Currently there are no set qualifications for the position.

The proposed amendment states that in order for a student to qualify for the position, the student must have a grade point average of 2.25 or higher, have completed two semesters of course work at Eastern and have “demonstrated knowledge” of student government and city government.

Daryl Jones, student vice president for public affairs, proposed the amendment. He is in charge of appointing the City Council Liaison and that appointment must be approved by the Student Senate for the appointment to take effect.

Jones said the amendment is necessary in order to establish criteria for the selection of a City Council Liaison, a student representative who goes to City Council meetings to give student input on issues and also reports back to the Student Senate.

Jones had trouble appointing a liaison last semester. Two candidates were voted down by the Student Senate before the third was accepted. The two candidates voted down were believed to have too little experience dealing with the student and city governments.

However, Bill Davidson’s appointment went through senate without objections this semester on his first attempt.

Student Body President Hugh O’Hara said Thursday he is concerned about possible confusion over the amendment.

“I’m not sure if people really understand the scope of that position,” he said. “I do think they care, I just think they don’t know.”

When the qualifications passed the senate Dec. 5 to go to the elections senate, members also raised concerns about possible confusion.

Speaker of the Senate Joe Robbins agreed.

“I think it’s a really complex issue,” he said.

It would be hard to give a synopsis without confusing people more, Robbins said. However, he thought if people take the time to gain a good understanding of the proposal, they could make a good decision.