What is IUSA?

The IU Student Association receives more than $300,000 a year from IU students. Although 100 percent of this money is student produced, only 16 percent of students voted in IUSA elections last year. \nIUSA is made up of of four executives, a 58-member Congress, 13 departments which research issues and provide services, and the IUSA Supreme Court. \nDean of Students and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Richard McKaig urges students to vote in the IUSA elections being held today and tomorrow. Students can vote on the IUSA Web site -- www.iub.edu/~iusa.\n"Students sort of cheat themselves if they don't take advantage of being able to vote," McKaig said.\nAlthough he pointed out that IUSA is certainly not the only outlet for student opinion on campus, he stressed that it was the formal route for student voices to be heard by the administration.\n"Students might think that student government doesn't matter and doesn't accomplish anything, but the truth is, in the next 12 months student government is going to be turned to by the administration for their views," McKaig said.\nThe Supreme Court, separate from Congress but still a part of IUSA, hears appeals of the IU Campus Judicial Board as well as those involving challenges to the IUSA constitution and bylaws.\nWhen students are interested in filing a complaint against another student or faculty member or have been accused of violating the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct, the Student Judicial Program helps students address the situation and advise them on the appropriate course of action.\nThe 13 departments of IUSA work together and lobby for student rights, improvement of campus safety, the promotion of diversity on campus and help to distribute funds to IU student groups.\nIUSA also offers a baby-sitting referral service, sponsors Siblings' Weekend and most recently began offering the Illuminator, a free ad section in the IDS dedicated to promoting student groups and activities. \nThe Lecture Series, a program that promotes a respectful working relationship between members of congress and the administration, invites important IU administrators to congress to speak on issues directly affecting IU students.\nRegardless of how hard IUSA works, many of their efforts go unnoticed, which may explain the small number of votes cast during elections. Many people have heard the name, but don't quite understand the purpose of the organization.\n"I've heard of it, but I don't really know what it is," junior Josh Kinney said.\nOf the money IUSA receives annually, approximately $100,000 goes to safety escort, a program that provides rides to students at night.\n"We are very responsible with the money we are given," said graduate student Emily Kolles, IUSA student body treasurer. \nStudent organizations receive a little less than $150,000 through Student Organization Funds and CASI grants -- the Commitment to Assist Student Initiatives.\n"In one way or another," Kolles said, "the money is all getting back to the students."\nAbout $30,000 is delegated to IUSA's 13 departments, and the rest goes in the books for office rent. Although IUSA sponsors numerous student oriented events, McKaig said the most important thing IUSA does is act as an advocate for student voice on campus, something students do not always realize.