Welcome back from IUSA

As students adjust to their new lives, whether as incoming freshmen away from home for the first time or upperclassmen realizing just how close they actually are to the real world, the IU Student Association welcomes everyone back to our perpetually changing school. Welcome back anyone who travels down the now more pedestrian-friendly 10th Street. Welcome back cream and crimson as the official school colors, and finally welcome back everyone from seniors to freshmen to the newly crowned top party school in the nation (I sincerely hope that everyone got a good chuckle from that one). With all these changes, it is almost as if the school that many of you left in the spring to explore the world outside of our college town has undergone a transformation of sorts.\nThese changes continue into the core of IUSA, which has already started and will continue to work for the betterment of IU by collaborating with the administration, yet always representing the best interests of the student body. Taking a proactive approach to student government will change the way IUSA operates by incorporating much more student involvement, which is where not only IUSA, but your school needs your support. Our VOTE HARD initiative is essential to the future growth of IU. By registering and voting in Monroe County and state elections, democratic powers can be fully utilized and the General Assembly will no longer be able to continue cutting funds from IU. The importance of registering and voting can be measured in the lack of critical tax dollars allocated to IU by your state representatives. If the students of this University came together as a collective group with a common goal, the possibilities of what could be accomplished are limitless. A shared vision by the students of this University will provide IU with vital leverage translating into the uncompromising resolve necessary to lobby our state government. Becoming active in the political arena of Indiana is imperative in order to make sure our school maintains its level of excellence and continues to change with the times. \n The IUSA Congress will also play a role in the way our campus operates this fall. I'm hoping that the IUSA Congress will now take a more proactive role and will outwardly work toward more attainable goals. I am confident that some very competent people are representing every student's best interests in every school, dorm and residence center.\nI am also proud IUSA is now standing up for the students at IU. Recently, IUSA sent a letter to the Bloomington Police Department to address students' concerns. If there is an issue that you would like to see addressed, please come up to Room 387 of the Indiana Memorial Union and express your problems. It is our job to work for the students to make sure that their worries are addressed.\nOn behalf of myself, Student Body President, and the rest of IUSA, I wish everyone the best of luck, and hope you all have a great year.