Indiana University alumni steer and steward the university by electing three of the nine members of the IU Board of Trustees. Indiana's governor appoints the other six, including a student trustee.
All trustees serve three-year terms, with the exception of the student trustee who serves a two-year term. Alumni-elected trustees serve rotating terms, and alumni vote for one each year. A successful candidate begins the three-year term on the July 1 immediately following the election; the term ends on June 30 of the third year in office.
In accordance with state law, the IUAA manages the trustee election under the direction of the IU Dean of Libraries. Ballots are counted on June 30, beginning at 9 a.m. If that falls on a Sunday, ballots are counted on an alternate date selected by the election coordinator. Paper and electronic ballots must be received by 10 a.m. ET on the final day of the election.