As the nation turns its attention to the U.S. presidential debates, Pitt students have their own…As the nation turns its attention to the U.S. presidential debates, Pitt students have their own election to focus on — that of the Student Government Board.

Packets for students interested in becoming an SGB candidate, including paper petitions that call for 200 signatures for Board member candidates and 250 signatures for Board presidential candidates, were made available Monday and are due Oct. 17. The SGB election will be held on Nov. 15, and students will have the opportunity to vote for five Board members and a president.

Elections Chair Annie Brown said about 22 students have picked up the packets, and a complete list of those who have accepted packets is on display at the front desk of the SGB office in Room 848 of the William Pitt Union.

Brown said that while some who accept packets choose not to run, the Elections Committee is excited about the turnout and the student interest in this year’s election.

As long as their packets are approved after the Oct. 17 packet deadline, current Board members Natalie Rothenberger and Gordon Louderback will be among those campaigning for the 2013-2014 presidential seat.

Rothenberger said that she is passionate about being involved in SGB and looks forward to the possibility of using the presidential role to help others make a difference on campus.

“I’ve been so fortunate to work with so many people who have inspired me,” Rothenberger said. “I want to represent the Board and help them reach out to students. Over time, the Board has done a great job of evolving and strengthening its relationship with students, but I want to work to create a more approachable and more visible Board than it already is now.”

Rothenberger added that she is enjoying the process of collecting signatures.

“I think what is so great about it is that you actually get to go out and talk to students who may not know what SGB is or how it operates, and it’s really great to explain the process to them and meet new people,” she said.

Louderback agreed that, though he is only collecting signatures, the current process is a time of excitement. He said that he believes he is now ready to be an influential leader on campus and represent the Board as a whole.

“I’ve been involved in some aspect of student government since my freshman year, and what drew me in was learning about the projects that you can do to change Pitt’s campus,” Louderback said. “Once I got the packet in my hand, it became real, so I am really looking forward to the next month and a half.”

Brown said that the slate forms are due Oct. 19 and, for the first time, single candidates or single slates will be able to endorse other candidates or slates. A slate allows for a candidate to align with two other candidates to represent common platform initiatives.

Rothenberger said that, while she could not share names, she does have a group to run with in mind.

Brown said that upcoming events for the candidates include a campaign workshop, which outlines the do’s and don’ts of campaigning. Official campaigning, when students begin to solicit votes and endorsements, begins on Oct. 25.

Community Outreach Chair Mary Mallampalli and Allocations Chair Michael Nites will each be running for one of the eight Board member seats.

“I believe that I would be a great addition to the Board and would like to give back to the student body,” Mallampalli said. “Since I’ve been working with SGB, I’ve gotten to know more about the allocations process and how things run, and there are definitely some changes that I would like to see made with that.”

Nites said that he would also like to use his knowledge of the allocations process to connect students and the Board.

“Generally speaking, I would like to have a long-lasting and positive impact on the student body,” Nites said. “Right now I’m completing the packet and choosing my three platform ideas, which I have in mind now.”

Current Board President James Landreneau said that he has had some of the greatest times as a Board member and Board president, and while collecting signatures and campaigning present their stresses, that it is a great way to hear from students.

“My recommendation for the candidates right now is not to freak out and to remain calm. Even during campaigning season, things have a tendency to work themselves out even if at the time you seem to have a lot on the plate,” Landreneau said. “This stage really helped me to shape what goals and projects I decided to run on.”