By Hannah Lodge\nhjlodge@indiana.edu\nIn its first formal meeting Tuesday, the IU Student Association congress gathered to discuss upcoming plans and opportunities for the fall semester. Initiatives included goals which have already been set, such as Katrina fund-raising and fair police practices, a new discussion on tailgating and the Committee for Fee Review.
Katrina Relief \nFirst on the IUSA congress's agenda was this Friday's Katrina relief concert, which will be put on by 30 various student organizations. The fundraiser will begin at 3 p.m. in Dunn Meadow and continue until 9:30 p.m. Activities include live bands, which will take the stage from 6:30 until 9 p.m., as well as guest speakers and a raffle. The Indiana Memorial Union will be serving food from 4 to 7 p.m., and canned food donations will be collected.\nIn order to give students a chance to do some hands-on volunteering, there will also be a booth for students interested in traveling over winter break to areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.
IUPD policies \nIUSA Vice President Will Leckey spoke on his agenda to ensure students are treated fairly by the IU Police Department. Leckey went on a ride-along with the IUPD Sept. 9 from 11:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. in order to observe police behavior.\nLeckey said he witnessed several citations, but none of them were given to students who weren't obviously intoxicated.\n"I can't stress enough that the people that were cited were acting a fool, and I think that's what students need to realize," he said. "We encourage them to go out and live the college life and have a great time, but just to be safe and responsible when you're doing it."\nLeckey said he is going to continue monitoring the issue and plans to ride with the IUPD again in three or four weeks.
Tailgating funds \nFuture discussed projects included the possibility of a tailgating party before this Saturday's football game. Current plans call for a tent with free food, but budget concerns have left the plan to hire a live band or DJ up in the air.\nIUSA President Alex Shortle said if other student organizations can fund the activity, the tailgate will continue as planned, but IUSA funds will not be used for the tailgating activity.
Committee for Fee Review\nStudent congress members were encouraged to inform students about the Committee for Fee Review, a student committee which provides recommendations concerning mandatory fee selections. Last semester, a controversial athletics fee was instated in spite of objections from the committee. \nStudents interested in serving on the committee can pick up an application in the IUSA office, located in room 387 of the IMU.
