Passing the gavel: iUnity inaugurated Thursday

The IU Student Association’s new executive administration was officially inaugurated Thursday night at a ceremony in the Indiana Memorial Union University Club’s President’s Room.

Outgoing Btown administration president and junior Peter SerVaas passed the presidential gavel on to incoming iUnity president and junior Michael Coleman as administrators and supporters looked on.

Chancellor Ken Gros Louis welcomed iUnity into office and commended members of the outgoing Btown administration. Gros Louis highlighted the work of Btown executives and task force directors as an example of justification for the existence of student government.

Gros Louis also provided Coleman with a few words of advice.

“In the coming year, if you feel that Pete (SerVaas) is looking over your shoulder, he probably is,” Louis said. “But don’t worry, he will only interfere if he thinks it’s necessary.”

While SerVaas is no longer serving as IUSA president, he’ll take on a new role within the iUnity administration. SerVaas was elected to the position of vice president for administration.

Along with Coleman and SerVaas, junior Jen Peterson and sophomore Sierra Hsieh were sworn into the positions of vice president for congress and treasurer,
respectively. Student Body Supreme Court chief justice Tara Maloney offered advice as she administered the oath.

“You have a big task in front of you,” Maloney said.

Assistant Dean of Students Steve Veldkamp also commended the Btown
administration’s commitment.

“The outgoing administration has faced these challenges straight on and with an altruistic mission to better our campus,” he said.

Veldkamp said he has spoken at IUSA inaugurations for the past seven years. He said Btown’s greatest accomplishment is in the success of their projects.

“They’ve really worked hard all the way through. They didn’t let off,” Veldkamp said.
The iUnity administration will have the advantage of continuity in the form of SerVaas, Veldkamp said. The current IUSA president will be given a second chance to work on unfinished projects.

Janice Wiggins, who has worked with Coleman as director of IU’s Groups program, said his election reflects well on the program.

“Michael just exemplifies what many of the student body, what it should be,” Wiggins said.

In his inaugural speech, Coleman thanked SerVaas for his role in helping Coleman gain such a “humbling experience.” Coleman also referenced the work of Thomas Atkins, IUSA’s first African-American president.

“We are the student organization that will be the student voice and do great things,” Coleman said.