'Vote Hard' impresses trustees

The IU board of trustees is supporting the efforts of the new leaders of the IU Student Association, namely their efforts to increase the number of IU students that vote in state elections. \nThe trustees met last week to discuss visions with the new student administration. \nDuring the President's report, graduate Jake Oakman, former student body president, introduced the Board to his successor, sophomore Bill Gray, the current student body president. The board bid farewell to Oakman before turning its focus to Gray with questions concerning his plans for the student body. Gray introduced his party's "Vote Hard" campaign to register 10,000 IU students to vote in the next election.\nNot only are Gray and the Kirkwood administration planning to register these voters, but get them to the polls as well. This plan quickly caught the attention and gained the approval of the trustees.\n"I applaud and compliment the IUSA student government in taking the initiative to promote student involvement in state government," IU President, Myles Brand, said.\nRecent state government decisions inspired IUSA to make an impact outside the campus boundaries. As Gray and his fellow leaders watched tuition rise, they decided to take actions to improve the state government's lack of motivation to fight for Bloomington constituents.\n"We've recognized a problem that legislators have no incentive to find the University money since the students aren't voicing their opinions," Gray said. "By doing this, legislators are going to see that students aren't going to vote for representatives that are going against IU."\nKirkwood plans to start targeting non-voting students in September, setting up booths at greek houses and dorms in collaboration with Hoosiers for Higher Education. The plan, Gray said, is to make it as easy as possible for students.\nIUSA members are not the only ones confident in Vote Hard's statewide impact. Brand agreed a successful Vote Hard campaign will directly affect the representatives' decisions.\n"Voting is the single most important approach that students can take to voice their opinions to Indiana's elected officials," Brand said.\nBoard member Sacha Willsey echoed the board's support for the campaign. As the trustee that directly works with IUSA, she is familiar with the plan and will closely follow its progress throughout the fall.\n"Getting students involved in voting makes a direct impact on our representatives and we as a student body need to show support for higher education in terms of supporting state legislature," Willsey said.\nAlthough previous plans have fallen through shortly after powerful introductions, Gray said Vote Hard is not a proposal that is backed by empty campaign promises. Kirkwood notes they are dedicated to the success of the program and confident it will have a positive affect on the student body.\n"This will be the largest and most effective voter movement in IU history," Gray said.