A time to reflect

The end of a school year is a time to reflect on the past and think of the future. And while it’s tempting to evaluate the year in terms of the personal successes and failures you’ve had at IU, I would challenge you to examine the impact your actions and decisions have had on IU. This year was an illustration of how the actions of few can damage the reputations of many. It is my sincere hope that we can learn from this and reaffirm our commitment to protecting the integrity of IU, now and in the future. \nTo the graduates: You face great responsibility. IU provided you with the opportunities to grow, develop and succeed. Even though you’re leaving, you will remain inextricably linked to IU. Your successes and failures, your decisions and actions reflect not only on you but also on all past, current and future students. There is a lot to be accomplished out in the real world, and the challenge is yours to undertake. Do and speak accordingly. Make sure IU is as proud of calling you one of its own as you are calling yourself an IU graduate. \nTo the returning students: I challenge you to examine your involvement in IU. If you are involved in a group, the actions of that group can and do have an impact on the students, the university and the community at large. Use the summer to evaluate which steps you and your group will take to ensure that only positive impact results from the group’s activities. If you are not involved, use the summer to think of a way to get involved next year. Remember that you’ll only get as much out of your IU experience as you put into it. Student involvement enriches IU’s culture, and the success of student groups strengthens IU’s integrity.\nTo IU administrators and leaders: I challenge you to examine the decisions you have made. Were they made with sound judgment, upright ethics and pure intentions? Were they made without undue influence and conflict of interest? Was the ultimate goal of all your decisions to improve how the university serves students? Yes, it is your job to run the university and make sure it is functional and efficient. But do keep in mind that IU is first and foremost a teaching institution, whose purpose is to serve the students. IU is not, and should never be reduced to a revenue-generating machine, a serf to the government and the corporations. \nIU must maintain its independence, integrity and commitment to the free pursuit of truth and knowledge. We must always remember that we hold the treasure that is IU in trust for future generations. It is our solemn duty to preserve IU as a vanguard of liberty and opportunity for the generations ahead. Never lose sight of this responsibility.