Big Red ticket inaugurated

All eyes are on Big Red.\nDuring its inauguration Monday evening, Luke Fields, IU Student Association president-elect, said high expectations have been set for the Big Red ticket in the upcoming year – expectations he said have been set by the Indiana Daily Student, former association executives, the IUSA Supreme Court and the entire student body.\n“It will not be by our words that we are remembered, nor that we find ourselves effective agents of change here on campus,” he said. “Indeed, it will be through what we do.”\nThe incoming executives include vice president Dan Sloat, vice president of congress Andrew Hahn, treasurer Robin Featherston and chief of staff Billy Bennett.\nFollowing more than a month of turbulent times for IUSA, Fields hopes to restore legitimacy to the organization.\n“I find it summarily necessary that we not dwell on the past, successes and difficulties,” Fields said, “but instead shift our focus forward and find what it is exactly we desire this association become.”\nThe inauguration came a little more than a week after the IUSA Supreme Court disqualified the election-winning Kirkwood ticket.\nThe IUSA Supreme Court found Kirkwood in violation of six different election codes. Only three violations were needed for disqualification, said Kate FitzGerald, IUSA Supreme Court chief justice.\nDuring the inauguration, FitzGerald swore in each member of the Big Red ticket, reminding them that there is a “great charge upon them to do an excellent job next year.”\n“Don’t forget all those people that you represent,” she said.\nFields reiterated to the audience that, as a ticket, Big Red has not lost sight of its original goals.\n“A transparent dedicated executive must first be committed to his fellow students,” he said, “then perhaps to himself.”\nFields said as a ticket, Big Red still believes 100 percent of students’ meal points should rollover from year to year, health care should be available on campus during the weekends, there should be a fall break forstudents, tax-free textbooks should be fought for and there should be a student section at Assembly Hall.\n“A commitment to seeing these goals to completion will go a long, long way towards restoring legitimacy to this Association and regaining the trust of the student body,” he said.\nDean of Students Dick McKaig said throughout his time at IU he has developed an appreciation for students who do their best with the opportunities they’re given to improve the University. Although students and organizations are quick to accuse student government of not doing anything, McKaig said he can only ask the incoming executives to lead the student body, not follow them.\n“I ask you to help the student body,” he said. “I ask you to resolve some complexities that existed during this election so we don’t go through that opportunity again. I would ask you to do your best to stay enthusiastic.”\nJoe DeJean, former vice president of IUSA, reminded Fields and the rest of the Big Red ticket to never forget that the student body is who they really represent.\n“No matter how deep you get into the administration and the faculty decisions and all the things you’re going to be involved in next year,” he said, “make sure to never lose sight of who you are and who you really represent.”