IUSA congressmen work to represent student interests

For IU Student Association congress members, the start of a new semester means new challenges and another chance to represent their fellow students. It also means new problems to solve.

IUSA Executive Director of Public Relations junior Liz Billman said there is not yet a set calendar for spring elections, but they traditionally take place in March. However, some congress members expect their impending arrival will mean an increase in the number of resolutions addressing the election code.

“We might encounter resolutions that deal with election codes or elections in general,” said sophomore Farihah Hossain, a first year congressman and chairman of the rules, membership and internal affairs committee.

Hossain also represents Wright Quad in the student assembly. She joined IUSA last year after a friend from home encouraged her to check out the organization.

Since her election on the Btown ticket, Hossain has attended weekly meetings and worked to represent her fellow students’ interests.

“We do a lot of resolutions and policy. One of my minors is a policy study minor through SPEA, and it kind of goes well I think,” Hossain said.

Sophomore Kyleigh Turk said she also found a campus connection through her work as a congresswoman for Willkie Quad.

“I am pretty involved in Kelley as a student, but I wanted to branch out and become more involved,” Turk said. “I really love IU and Bloomington, so this was my way to give back to it.”

Turk also ran on the Btown ticket last year and currently serves on the education committee. She stressed the importance of IUSA as a voice for the student body.

Turk said IU is seen as more open to student opinions than some other institutions. The administration, Turk said, can benefit from a better understanding of what it is that students want.

“It’s good when we can help them understand that side and what issues we’re facing,” Turk said.

This service as a voice for the student body is something Hossain said she takes seriously. Resolutions are distributed to congress members before being discussed, and Hossain said she uses this time to canvass her fellow residents for opinions.

She said this is especially true with broad issues affecting much of the student population.

“You get different perspectives around your area,” Hossain said.

Those opinions are translated into votes, motions and resolutions, and IU’s student government stays hard at work. Both Hossain and Turk emphasized the importance of student involvement in this process, both through membership in IUSA and contact with representatives.

Turk said this allows students to be involved in the process of student government, even if they are not serving in an official role.

Hossain echoed this sentiment simply.

“It’s IUSA,” she said. “It’s for students, it’s their government.”