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According to Merriam-Webster, "contribute" means "to give or supply in common with others." According to the IU code of student rights, part 1 section F, students have the right to "contribute to the making of institutional policy generally affecting their social or academic affairs." I'm no Einstein, but that definition suggests that, as a student body, our input on important issues affecting students should be on equal terms with those of the administration and trustees. And as of now, I really don't feel that has been the case with the search process for the new University president. \nNow, I don't blame the trustees for overlooking this very important part of choosing the president; this is the way we've traditionally been dealt with as students. Except for a few student organizations that have stepped up to say something -- in response to which, the trustees appointed a single graduate student from IU-South Bend -- most people don't really know what's going on with this process. Few students realize the effect a new president will have on their lives from an academic and financial standpoint. So I write this article to plead to the student body: If only for a few minutes, take the time to not be so concerned with how Facebook sucks and sit down to educate yourself on this issue.\nI know many will say, "No matter what we say or how we feel, the administration will pick whomever it wants." And that's true to an extent. This is a university that is a business, not a democracy. In the end it'll probably pick who it feels will financially benefit the good ol' boys before concerning themselves with we students. \nBut please, for once, when the administrators sit down and ignore what we say about whom to select, when they send the token student representation to get our opinions and concerns (before tossing them in the trash), let them know exactly what they're discarding. Historically, students have affected many things both on this campus and on a national basis, despite the establishment's efforts. So no matter how much the administration might want you to think otherwise, given our numbers and efforts, we can have a say in this process. \nMany of you have heard this argument before, but please, if not my words, someone else's words should turn this into action. One suggestion I have is for the different student organizations to barrage the trustees with letters, either about their dislike of the process or about candidates you feel would be best for the job. Even if you decide to do nothing, make sure you at least educate yourself. When tuition rises, our classes start being taught more frequently by graduate students and we become even more faceless to the University, you'll have no one to blame but yourself.