Bibik is one of many students who might not have all the facts regarding the MSU Board of Trustees election on Tuesday.

The board is MSU’s governing body of eight individuals that decide on the university’s policies and other issues such as tuition and construction projects.

As their eight-year terms come to an end next year, current trustees Democrat Joel Ferguson and Republican Melanie Foster are running for re-election. The two will go up against challengers Democrat Brian Mosallam and Republican Jeff Sakwa for the two seats currently occupied by Ferguson and Foster.

With many students unaware about the board, Foster said it is important for the students to understand what the board does for the university since it directly impacts them.

“(The board) is responsible for evaluating the president’s performance (and) approving major policies, including the overall vision of the university and the budget,” Foster said.

The board also has to approve various other affairs regarding the university. For example, at its last boarding on Oct. 26, the board approved matters such as an authorization to proceed for reconstruction of the Bogue Street and Shaw Lane intersection and the appointment of Fred Poston as the dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Aside from their duties on the board, current trustees hold a variety of professions, ranging from real estate mangers to politicians to financial advisers.

Trustee Dianne Byrum said the board members are qualified because each member was added to the board through a public election.

Byrum, along with many other trustees and candidates, said the board constantly is facing issues with tuition increases, but is doing its best to make college affordable for students.

“(The board) looks at (being efficient) and cutting spending across campus and looking at energy use (to help reduce tuition),” Byrum said.

Foster echoed Byrum about the importance of tuition, but said the board is not going to compromise the quality of MSU.

Byrum said one of the most important proposals the board has passed is the Energy Transition Plan. She said under the provisions of the plan, MSU’s energy will be 25 percent renewable by 2025. The university intends to the reach this goal by using the best practices and cutting-edge technology to do so.

The board also has impact on athletics since it has to approve many construction projects such as Spartan Stadium renovations, former MSU football coach and current trustee George Perles said.

“(Athletics) are a very important part,” Perles said. “(They) bring a lot of people together.”