IUSA to begin Lecture Series

Perplexed over parking? Ticked about the tuition hike? Worried about Web security?\nThis fall, students will have a voice and a chance to get answers directly from the decision-makers themselves.\nThe IU Student Association will give students the opportunity to engage in open question and answer sessions with top University officials during its regular meetings, IUSA announced Friday.\nWhen campaigning for IUSA offices, the Supernova ticket promised to work on improving relations between the student body and the administration. They plan to fulfill that promise with the IUSA Lecture Series.\nEvery two weeks at the IUSA Congress meeting, one or two administrators will be invited to come to the meeting to give a description of their job duties and field questions from the audience and members of student government.\nSpeakers include IU President Myles Brand in a town hall meeting Sept. 10, Director of Parking Operations Doug Porter July 26 and Vice President of Information and Technology Michael McRobbie Nov. 29.\n"I believe the IUSA lecture series will be a great way for the students to learn from the administration and -- perhaps more importantly -- for those in the administration to learn the ideas, concerns and issues of the student body," IUSA President Jake Oakman said in a statement.\nThe lecture series events will bring together IU officials in various roles with students and members of the IUSA administration.\nStudents, who often feel detached, said they are encouraged by the opportunity to interact with those in high University positions.\n"You never see them, you never know what they do," said Mathew Powers, a senior. \n"I would be really interested to go just once and see what it's like," he said. "I don't know how the students and administrators will be able to handle each other back and forth."\nSenior Brad Platt said the meetings will encourage accountability.\n"It could be good to see what's going on and to see what (we're) paying for," Platt said. "It's important for students to see that."\nThe congress meetings are open to all IU students.\n