Duke Student Government’s decision to incorporate a general student body election into the selection of this year’s undergraduate Young Trustee is a welcome change. Instead of a process driven by internal politics and inside baseball, it encourages widespread student involvement, transparency and accountability.

But with the first Young Trustee election comes an equally unknown prospect—a Young Trustee campaign.

Under the bylaw approved by DSG, YT finalists are “encouraged to campaign to disseminate knowledge of their background, qualifications and positions on issues relevant to the undergraduate student body.” This sounds too much like a traditional campaign.

The Young Trustee, unlike any other elected student position, is not beholden to any special interests, nor does it represent one narrow constituency. Instead, he or she is entrusted with the special task of balancing competing needs, understanding difficult problems and ultimately pursuing whatever policies build a better, more dynamic University community.

By its very nature, the position of Young Trustee is different, and it demands a different type of campaign—one that shies away from platforms and promises in favor of educating voters about the candidates’ experiences, knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Regrettably, candidates only have one week to introduce themselves to the public before next Tuesday’s elections. Still, the Young Trustee Nominating Committee and the candidates themselves can ensure that the first campaign for YT is both positive and informative.

Under the election bylaw, the YTNC chair is required to facilitate a public debate. Guided by the educational spirit of a Young Trustee campaign, though, it shouldn’t be a debate at all.

A debate would imply that there are issues to argue over and agendas to compare. With this race for Young Trustee, however, there simply are not. In place of a debate, the public should be treated to an open forum in which they will have the opportunity to ask substantive questions that challenge candidates to think deeply and communicate the importance of their knowledge and experience.

With the new YT bylaw, student groups will also be able to endorse a candidate. We are pleased that the YTNC has reached out to large student groups and encouraged them to interview and endorse a candidate. The YT election will only succeed with an informed electorate, and endorsements can be an important step in this process.

But again, groups must recognize that endorsing a candidate for Young Trustee is different from endorsing a DSG president. They should not ask leading questions or use a litmus test to determine how well a candidate’s views fall within the mission of the organization. When interviewing candidates, groups should assess each finalist’s judgment and evaluate how effectively they could serve on the University’s Board of Trustees.

Candidates, too, can play a role in ensuring an informed electorate. In interviews with groups and informal conversations with students, they should avoid making promises or pandering to their audiences. Moreover, they should not post flyers or create ads. These could cheapen the stature of the Young Trustee position and reduce the campaign to a popularity contest.

For the first time, the power to select the Young Trustee is in the hands of the entire student body. Voters deserve an informative campaign that will set a positive tone for the Young Trustee election this year and in years to come.