Culture of Care could separate from IUSA

Culture of Care might become a separate organization from IU Student Association at the end of this year. The possible transition was discussed at IUSA’s most recent executive meeting.

An organization aimed at promoting safety and well-being on campus, Culture of Care was started through IUSA and has been a part of the student government since the 2011-12 school year.

“We’re kind of at the point where it’s self-sufficient,” sophomore and Culture of Care co-chair Andy Braden said. “It’s at the point where it can stand on its own.”

Vice President of Administration Chris Kauffman said the IUSA executives have been meeting with members of Culture of Care and administrators to discuss this possibility.

“We think that that will allow them more autonomy and allow our organization to be more nimble as well,” Kauffman said.

Kauffman said everyone in Culture of Care and IUSA was on the same page about this transition.

“We wouldn’t be making this decision if we didn’t feel Culture of Care was stable enough on its own,” Chief of Staff Dia Sharma said.

Later in the meeting, Kauffman and IUSA President Jose Mitjavila said they had lunch with Provost Lauren Robel this week to discuss a variety of issues including intramural field space, unifying experiences on campus and the end of SafeRide.

One issue brought up by the Provost was the lack of space for intramural and club sports. When the baseball field was added to the intramural fields, students lost practice space, Mitjavila said.

He said now some of these intramural and club sports have been canceled. Students have also been practicing in parks and spaces off-campus to compensate.

“This presents an issue for safety, student activity ... a slew of issues,” Mitjavila said.

Kauffman said another issue discussed with Robel was the concept of having a shared experience amongst college students.

“We discussed unifying experiences on campus and whether or not we have them, and if we don’t have them, what they would be for undergraduates,” Kauffman said. “What is that one common denominator that all of us have?”

They also discussed the end of the pilot program SafeRide and the proposals to Safety Escort, including later hours and picking up intoxicated students.

“She seems very receptive,” Mitjavila said, “so we hope to continue those conversations.”

Follower reporter Dani Castonzo on Twitter @Dani_Castonzo.