IUSA convenes for 1st fall semester session

The IU Student Association Congress met for the first time for the fall semester Tuesday night. Thirty-nine of the 51 congressmen and women attended the first session, as did members of the executive branch.

Treasurer’s talk

Kyle Straub, junior and IUSA treasurer, spoke to Congress about the budget, noting that the organization was incredibly below budget going into the fall.

As of the meeting, nearly $1,000 was spent on executive transportation, $5,000 was given to the IU Hillel Center’s search fund for Lauren Spierer and $3,600 will be spent today on the Student Recreational Sports Center sustainability platform stationary bikes.

Other expenditures included an undisclosed amount for office renovation, and $7,500 toward rollover costs from the last administration, which were a surprise to Big Six, Straub said.

King’s speech

Kingsolver addressed Congress, highlighting summer activity of both Congress and the executive branch. He also asked interested members of Congress to help lobby for two statewide initiatives — tax-free textbooks and medical amnesty. He echoed Woodring’s call to speak against the tuition raises decided this summer.

Kingsolver announced plans to re-commission a Vision of the Ideal College Environment, or VOICE program, aimed at surveying the student body concerning campus issues, Kingsolver said.

Resolutions

Congress voted on Resolution 11.12.05, which approved spending $1,984 for vote-tallying clickers from Turning Technologies. Congress will use these clickers at its meetings, expediting the voting process.

Adviser’s address

R.J. Woodring, IUSA adviser, asked all IUSA Congress members to help young members develop into able leaders on campus.

He said he’s encouraged by the actions of Congress and the executives during the summer. He told Congress not to rest on its laurels but to actively pursue campus issues during the course of the school year.

Elections

Derrick Wade, sophomore, was reelected grammarian for the year.

Laurel Crutchfield, junior, ran unopposed for parliamentarian.

Will Brooks, senior, served as speaker of Congress during the summer and was re-elected by a 21-14 vote.

The next meeting of Congress will be Sept. 20.