IUSA amends Iran resolution

Given the recent political turmoil in Iran, student activists are now pushing the IU Student Association to show its support for Iranian students.

Jordan Jacobs, director of IUSA’s executive Department of International Affairs and an Indiana Daily Student columnist, went before the IUSA Congress on Tuesday night to present a resolution that would voice the group’s support for Iran.

Jacobs said Iran is undergoing profound political transformations and is facing major events that will greatly affect its future.

“This resolution could be the first of many steps,” he said.

Jacobs said it is important for the IU community of students to express solidarity with students in Iran.

He said that passing this resolution will also add to the political activism on the University level.

If the resolution would be passed, Jacobs said, IUSA could then urge other university student governments to pass similar endorsements. Jacobs said he plans to contact the student body presidents of all Big Ten schools.

After Jacobs presented his resolution, congress began a debate before a final vote. Many members emphasized that passing this resolution would not help the cause and that IUSA needs to focus on problems within IU’s campus.

Sophomore Seth Davis said IUSA is not surrendering its rights by voting for this but rather voting to support not taking other students’ rights away.

“All he’s asking is to have an opinion supporting human rights,” Davis said.

When the debate was brought to a close, senior Andrew Hahn moved to amend the resolution. He said he encouraged the Department of International Affairs to start a dialogue with other universities first and to strike the expression “solidarity” from the resolution.

“My idea would require a radical rewrite of this resolution,” Hahn said.

Shobha Pai, vice president of IUSA Congress, said the motion was to rework the resolution and bring it back before congress.

“They can bring the new resolution back at the next congress meeting and it will then be voted on,” Pai said.