During the first Student Association election debate Monday night, candidates discussed attendance costs, international student services and inclusivity at Syracuse University, among other topics. As the 61st Student Association administration winds down, The Daily Orange Editorial Board encourages students to engage in the elections, running April 9-12.

Every year, The D.O. Editorial Board follows registered campaigns and reports on their stances on issues affecting the campus community. Following the debate Monday night and into voting, the undergraduate student body should be aware of candidates’ platforms and stances on campus issues to make informed decisions.

The D.O. Editorial Board will interview candidates and publish full transcripts of the sit-down interviews on dailyorange.com. Historically, the editorial board has endorsed a campaign team it believes will best meet the needs of the SU community.

As part of this process, we ask students to tell us what they want to see out of The D.O.’s election coverage by submitting ideas to news@dailyorange.com or visiting dailyorange.com/about. We also invite readers to submit letters to the editor to opinion@dailyorange.com to raise topics SA should have on its agenda or endorse candidates. Letters to the editor are published online and in our print edition on page five.

In the 2017 SA elections, fewer than 2,500 students voted. With candidates addressing the need for increased communication between students and university administrators, engagement is essential to ensure students’ values and concerns aren’t lost in translation.

The Daily Orange Editorial Board serves as the voice of the organization and aims to contribute the perspectives of students to discussions that concern Syracuse University and the greater Syracuse community. The editorial board’s stances are determined by a majority of its members. You can read more about the editorial board here. Are you interested in pitching a topic for the editorial board to discuss? Email opinion@dailyorange.com.