Brand, student to change roles

Students now have a unique opportunity to discover what goes into being the president of IU and to get a glimpse of the day-to-day workings of the University.\nThe President for a Day contest, co-sponsored by the IU Student Foundation, IU Student Association and the IU Student Alumni Association, allows one winner to switch roles for a day with President Myles Brand. The student will attend meetings and speak with IU administrators, while Brand attends the student's classes and takes part in his or her other normal activities for that day.\nAll full-time students are eligible to purchase tickets for $1 each. All proceeds will go directly to the general scholarship fund. \nEven though the student will not make any major decisions, he/she will have the opportunity to express concerns with administrators, Brand said.\nBrand said the day is always enjoyable. \n"It's fun sitting in the classroom, meeting students and talking with other students," he said. "As long as the teacher doesn't call on me too much, it's OK."\nScott Siegel, director of student programs for the IU Student Alumni Association, said the goals of the contest are to raise money for scholarships and give the student and the president an opportunity to see the University from a different perspective.\n"Both the student and the president gain insight into what the other goes through on a daily basis," Siegel said. "It gives the president an opportunity to be more visible among the student population and to provide opportunities to meet students."\nBrand brought the President for a Day contest with him when he came to IU from the University of Oregon in 1994. The contest was taken to the IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis campus for a few years, but this year it is back in Bloomington. \n"It's great for the student and myself," he said. "The main reason I do it is I learn something. I get a taste for what goes on with students on the Bloomington campus."\nErica Crouch, a law student at IUPUI, won the contest when she was an IU sophomore.\n"It was one of the greatest experiences I had while I was in college," she said. "He seemed like a normal guy, and he really wanted to know what was going on with the student body. I was very impressed by that."\nThe winner of the contest will be announced March 2 during halftime of the IU-Northwestern men's basketball game. The actual switch day will take place March 5.\nThere are several other perks this year, some of which are different from prizes in years past. The winner will receive an A parking sticker for a week, tickets to the Little 500, a chance to ride in the pace car for the race and lunch for two at the Tudor Room.\nA reception will conclude the day. Brand and the student will reflect on what they experienced while spending time in the other person's shoes.\nMany students are interested in what goes on in the president's office. Freshman Kristen Thomas said she is excited about the contest. \n"It's a great opportunity to increase the scholarship fund while giving students something as an incentive," Thomas said.\nTo enter the contest, students can purchase tickets from any of the sponsoring organizations. Tickets will also be on sale in the Indiana Memorial Union and residence hall food courts until Feb. 23.