New group promoting leadership

One of campus' newest student organizations is the Council for Advancing Student Leadership, which furthers its cause by supplementing other student organizations.\nJunior Andrew Remak, president of CASL, said the group's purpose is to help students get involved and to enhance the skills of those in leadership positions, extracurricular activities and organizations.\n"CASL fulfills the job of recognizing and facilitating student leaders," Remak said.\nJunior Chris Carter, CASL vice president, said the group's goal is to emphasize the importance of leadership in student organizations throughout campus. \n"We work to enhance the organizations," Carter said.\nFounded in 1998 by 12 students, the organization has grown to roughly 40 members who sit on 15 various committees. Carter said the primary way the organization promotes leadership is through 10 $500 scholarships, which the group awards to student leaders every year during Little 500. \nThe group also hosts an annual Cardboard Boat Regatta, which raises money for scholarships. In addition, it also awards certificates to captains of club sports, heads of Greek houses and \nleaders of other prominent organizations on campus. CASL also sends out a monthly leadership newsletter to the other student organizations on campus.\nCASL represents a unique idea in working to enhance student leadership, said CASL Faculty Advisor Rich Mull.\nMull said since its inception, a center for student leadership development has been created as a partner to CASL. The center coordinates the new School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation H100 class called, "Participant Leadership Development and Organizational Leadership Development." \nMull said these independent study classes give students credit for what they learn about leadership in their extracurricular activities. Last semester, the total enrollment for the class was over 230 students. \nRemak said CASL tries to encourage student leaders to enroll in these classes. \n"We are also involved in promoting the new HPER leadership minor," Remak said.\nThe group is also planning to post display boards around campus, urging students to get involved in extracurricular activities. Remak said the boards would be placed predominantly in residence halls to target freshmen and sophomores.\nCASL has also launched a new speaker series. The program will feature speakers who have experience and insight in collegiate leadership. Previous speakers have included IU Alumni Association CEO, Ken Beckley, IU Foundation President, Curt Simic, Dean of Students, Richard McKaig and Vice President for Student Development and Diversity, Charlie Nelms. An upcoming speaker is Craig Ross, who will speak from 7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 16 at the SRSC, about building resumes, networking, landing a job and prevailing in the workplace.\n-- Contact staff writer Michael Zennie at mzennie@indiana.edu.