New petition alleges IUSA Funding Board violates bylaws

A petition for injunctive relief regarding the IU Student Association Funding Board will be heard by the Student Body Supreme Court at 12:30 p.m. Friday. The location will be posted on the court’s Web site prior to the hearing.

The petition, which was filed by IUSA historian and junior John Gillard and IUSA congressman and junior Daniel Herman on Sunday, alleges that the newly adopted Funding Board Constitution violates IUSA bylaws.

Funding Board is an entity somewhat separate from the majority of IUSA, although it falls under the umbrella of IUSA’s organization and is staffed by appointed and elected members of IUSA.

According to the petition, the board’s constitution violates IUSA bylaws used to govern Funding Board. It also alleges that the constitution violates University policy by establishing an independent board.

The petition states IUSA was granted the power to administer Student Organization funds by the IU board of trustees. The new constitution would create an independent board, violating this University policy, the petition says.

Additionally, the petition states that the new constitution will allow for a board made up of appointed members rather than elected members of IUSA Congress. According to the petition, this practice would “remove any and all external forms of checks and balances.”

The petition requests that the court reject the new constitution and require Congress to pass an updated Appendix within the bylaws of IUSA to govern the board’s formation and oversight and also allows the board to set internal allocation procedures.

The board allocates Student Organization funds to student groups through an application process. Student Organization funds are collected from student fees.

Student groups must be open to all students in order to receive Student Organization funds through Funding Board.  

— Claire Wiseman