IUSA president outlines goals, plans for upcoming school year

The IU board of trustees conducted its first business meeting of the 2004-2005 school year Thursday afternoon in the Indiana Memorial Union. Several motions were passed before the full board, although most issues were discussed and resolved during a preceding two-day retreat in Nashville, Ind.\nIU President Adam Herbert reported on the status of major developments in the last few weeks, among them the appointment of new athletics director Rick Greenspan, who will take his new post Sept. 16. Greenspan's focus is on academic and intercollegiate excellence, and he places great emphasis on compliance, Herbert said. A special thanks was addressed to Terry Clapacs, vice president of administration and chief administrative officer, for bringing in a new AD and stabilizing the athletics department. \n"We owe a great deal of gratitude to the leadership of Terry for his personal sacrifice," Herbert said.\nDavid Daleke, president of the University Faculty Council, updated the board on faculty activities. Amongst the more important topics discussed was the faculty's desire to deeply analyze the Partially Paid Family Leave Policy over the course of the year to present to the board. In addition, Daleke highlighted the cumbersome nature of partially revising the Student Code of Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct for the student affairs committee.\n"We want to create an abbreviated student code that students can read," he said. "This is a broad collaboration between students, the dean of students in all schools and the faculty."\nTyson Chastain, senior and president of the IU Student Association, thanked the board for their warm reception of his speech at the IU freshman induction ceremony. \n"I want to credit my mentors -- a confidence boost always help," he said. "Indiana University is an awesome University." \nChastain continued by outlining the goals and accomplishments of the IUSA for the fall and spring semesters. \n"The IUSA is doing more to create student involvement at IU," Chastain said.\nThe IUSA has appointed 84 students to serve on various committees throughout the campus with a focus on creating diversity and change. \n"We plan on implementing an orientation program on campus to try to make more of an impact on students in the committee process," Chastain said. "We want substantial student involvement in creating something residents and students want, something affordable and something that stays affordable." \nThe IUSA also supports a 4 percent cap on student tuition and fees.\nChastain called for all students to adopt a "hands-on" approach to combat littering on campus. \n"We want to create an atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect for campus facilities," he said. "If students are included in processes that affect them, they are more likely to give back to IU and commit themselves to the University." \n-- Contact staff writer David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu .