First, thank you all for your patience, effort, and flexibility during this time of international crisis. This email communicates two important internal IFO matters. IFO leadership is in constant contact with the System Office and the Walz administration providing input as they work to address the issues facing our communities. We will send additional updates as they become available.

The IFO has cancelled the biennial Delegate Assembly scheduled for March 27-28 due to health and safety concerns related to COVID-19. More information about that will be sent soon.

As a result, there are two items that all members need to know.

IFO Presidential Election Information

The IFO Board has approved a one-time suspension of Chapter VI, Section A, subdivision 1 of the Operating Procedures, that requires the IFO Presidential Election to be held on the second Tuesday of April in even-numbered years.

The IFO Board has approved rescheduling the Presidential election to take place between April 15 and April 20. The cut-off date to become a member to be eligible to vote will be 5 pm on Friday, April 10.

The IFO Nominating Committee has submitted one nomination to the IFO Board - current IFO President Brent Jeffers. Brent Jeffers will be the only name on the ballot with write-in candidates permissible.

IFO Delegate Assembly Constitutional Amendment

The IFO constitution currently requires that Delegate Assembly shall be held during even-numbered years. There is not an exception for extenuating circumstances. The IFO Board has proposed a constitutional amendment that will provide flexibility during extraordinary circumstances. IFO constitutional amendments must be approved by a majority vote of members voting and a majority of campuses. The proposed constitutional amendment will be included on the same ballot as the Presidential election in April. The proposed amendment adds the underlined language in the text below.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment

ARTICLE XI – GENERAL DELEGATE ASSEMBLY
The General Delegate Assembly of the Inter Faculty Organization of the Minnesota State Universities shall be held during even-numbered years at a time and place established by the IFO Board, except the General Delegate Assembly may be cancelled in an even-numbered year or be held during an odd-numbered year when, as determined by the IFO Board, extraordinary circumstances warrant. The IFO Board of Directors shall be responsible for making arrangements for the IFO General Delegate Assembly.

As you take steps to protect your health and that of others, keep in mind that we are fighting a virus, not members of our communities. Discrimination, stereotypes, xenophobia, and racism remain as harmful to our campus and local communities as before the emergence of COVID-19.