However, the candidates of the main parties also will be up against Libertarian candidate Michael Miller, U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan candidates Bill Mohr II and Stephen Young and Green Party candidate Lloyd Clarke.

The Board of Trustees is comprised of eight individuals who serve as MSU’s governing body, approving important issues, such as construction projects, budgets and staff appointments.

There is potential for a major change in leadership on the Board of Trustees if a challenger were to win a spot on the board since Ferguson and Foster are the current chairman and vice chairwoman of the board.

However, the incumbents said they have no fear in losing their positions on the board.

“I mean, let’s face it, if Brian Mosallam makes it, then I probably won’t,” Foster said. “It’s not one of the things that will happen.”

Foster, who has been on the board since 2004 and served as vice chairwoman since 2007, has been preparing for the election by riding the Michigan GOP’s “Believe in Michigan – Jobs First” bus tour across Michigan the past few days.

The tour also features parts of the Romney family and many other Republican politicians from Michigan.

Ferguson, who has been a member of the board since 1986 and has served as chairman since 1992, said he has been making the regular last-second election preparations, such as calling supporters.

According to all of the Democratic and Republican candidates, restraining tuition is one of their major concerns for the board.

Despite passing a 3.5 percent tuition increase in June, however, Ferguson said keeping tuition costs down is a much more difficult task than some believe.

“Anyone can go in and say (they’re going to lower tuition),” Ferguson said. “I can get the job done, (and) I know what’s going on (with the university).”

Foster is in the same boat and believes the university can’t sacrifice the quality of MSU.

“We have to maintain the quality of (MSU),” Foster said. “We have to make sure that any tuition increase is justified, and make sure there are as minimal (increases) as possible.”

Despite going up against seasoned trustees, Mosallam and Sakwa aren’t worried either.

Sakwa said he has had several radio interviews and also was part of the bus tour to increase voters’ awareness.

Mosallam said he had 43 people making calls on his behalf and sent out about 18,000 emails.

“I’m very encouraged by the response from Spartan Nation,” Mosallam said. “Regardless, it’s been a wonderful seven months (campaigning).”