Trustees hear new IUSA president's agenda

The agenda and progress of the new IU Student Association government was presented to the IU board of trustees Friday, while they also heard remarks from IU President Adam Herbert regarding the plane crash disaster that took the lives of five music students and a presentation on how to improve civic engagement on campus.\n Senior Alex Shortle completed his last official duty as outgoing IUSA president Friday when he gave his final presentation to the trustees. Shortle praised his successor, incoming IUSA President Betsey Henke, and thanked the board and administrators for their help.\n"This has been a real learning experience," he said. "I'd like to thank you for giving us, the students, an opportunity to be here ... I am confident that the University is moving in the right direction."\nShortle concluded by saying that he is optimistic that in 10 years his diploma will be worth far much more money, while it is currently worth a lot to him. \nAfter his remarks, Henke then took to the podium to officially address the trustees for the first time in her capacity as IUSA president. \n"I am really excited to be working with Alex getting through the transition," Henke said. "We are ready to go."\nShe added that the new student governing body has already made substantial accomplishments. They have been meeting with administrators and directors, they cut down costs in their new budget and are working on their plans for the upcoming year. \nHenke said one of the main campaign issues they will pursue strongly is to secure a legal music downloading service for students. She said they are currently assessing bids from a number of companies. \nIn addition, she said they are working with USA Today and the New York Times to build and enhance the student readership program on campus. \nHerbert began his president's report by discussing the recent loss the University suffered just two weeks ago when five music students were tragically killed after their plane crashed just outside Bloomington on its way to the Monroe County Airport. \n"I know the members of this board join me in extending our deepest empathizes to the families, as well as the close friends of the very special young people," Herbert said.\nHerbert went on to say that grief over the University took many forms. He said that following the news, classmates and professors went to practice rooms to play the victims favorite songs. He also described how concerts are being planned all over -- including one that will be held in London -- to commemorate the lives and abilities of the musicians. \nHerbert described a blog the Jacobs School of Music has created to allow users to reminisce and remember the victims by making posts and reading relevant information about them. \n"I would also note three of these graduate students would have been marching on Saturday," Herbert said. "So when we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates during commencement ceremony, we also will keep in mind the very special people who had such rare talent and left us far too soon." \nWhen finished with his remarks, Herbert introduced Wells and Mitchell Scholar Kathleen Claussen to speak to the board. \n"Every year we are blessed with dozens of remarkable seniors and at least hundreds, if not thousands, will make a significant mark in the world, (and) one stands out," Herbert said. "We have every confidence that Katie Claussen will make a mark on the world."\nHerbert listed a few of her many accomplishments by saying that she has earned all A's or A-pluses in her classes, has had her work published and has worked part-time as an advocate for community engagement in the Civic Learning department. \nClaussen gave a speech to the board, emphasizing the need to spread civic engagement and volunteerism among IU's student body. \n"(Students) can enhance and increase their skills by finding the true spirt of public universities," Claussen said. "And that is cooperation and collaboration with the local community"