Biola’s election season kicked off with an Associated Students informational meeting Wednesday night.

Students attending were interested in positions ranging from senator to presidency. Head officials, including AS President Mark Heath and AS Office Manager Kyle Shanebeck, spoke about the various positions within AS and listed important dates for the election, culminating with election days at the end of the month.

“We are looking for leaders,” Heath said. “We want people who want to be public servants and can be the students’ voice. This is a great opportunity for leadership growth.”

Heath and the rest of the executive branch provided a brief overview of the positions available, including vice president of marketing and communications, finance, and human resources, and the senate chairs who act as liaisons between students and AS.

“We have over 50 AS staff members,” Heath said. “We have three branches running AS. They are the executive branch, senate branch and service branch.”

There are many opportunities to serve in AS, said Cameron Spencer, vice president of marketing communications. AS needs people to work for Social Board, Religious and Academic Relations, Spirit Board, and many other areas in the service branch.

Applications for all positions will be available online beginning Monday, March 8. Applications for service branch positions are due April 13, and applications for elected positions must be turned in by Thursday, March 11 at no later than 5 p.m.

“There are no exceptions,” Shanebeck said. “If you miss the deadline, you won’t be able to run.”

Students running for executive positions must first obtain a certain number of signatures in order to qualify for running. Applications for president and vice president posts are already available.

Campaign week will take place March 22 through March 29. March 22 will mark election chapel, where the candidates will be introduced to the student body. Students will vote March 29 and 30.