Five things every student should know about IUSA

With the start of a new academic year comes a new administration for the Indiana University Student Association, the University’s student government. The first IU Student Council was appointed in 1912, and the organization has undergone name and organizational changes throughout the years. The group was given its current name in 1974. Elections are held in the spring to determine leadership for the following academic year. Here are five things every student should know about their representatives.

1) Jose Mitjavila, student body president, said the primary role of IUSA is to advocate for students on a campus-wide scale. In line with previous administrations’ goals, Mitjavila said the current administration will be increasing that advocacy by involving more students in decision-making processes across campus.

“There are committees across campus that deal with a plethora of things,” Mitjavila said. “I really think that student government’s responsibility is being present at as many of those committee meetings as possible.”

2) This year’s executive ticket is led by Mitjavila, a senior, who was elected last spring as part of the YOUniversity ticket. He has been involved in IUSA since his freshman year, when he worked on an election campaign. He worked in the communications department of IUSA his sophomore year and became head of communications his junior year. Mitjavila said in an email that the association has many initiatives planned for the semester, including Culture of Care, the Diversity Lecture Series, SafeRide and more.

3) IUSA is organized as a system that mirrors that of the United States government, complete with three branches and supporting committees. Here’s the breakdown:
The executive branch holds sixty members, as well as student interns, with executive members such as the president, vice president of administration, vice president of congress and treasurer elected by the student population in the spring.

The legislative branch, or Congress, is comprised of 62 members and represents various schools and housing locations on campus. The members of the legislative branch are responsible for passing the resolutions that IUSA puts into action.

The judicial branch serves as the IUSA Supreme Court. Each of the eleven justices and the Chief Justice are appointed by the student body president.
 
4) The administration will be bringing aboard more students in the coming weeks through its Freshman Internship Program and the Student Involvement Fair. The Internship Program, currently in its third year, is a semester-long course that allows interested students to work in-depth with the current administration.

During the first eight weeks of the semester, each intern is given a mentor who is a member of the executive staff and will work closely with their specific department. During the second half of the semester, the interns will be enrolled in a class in which they will be visited by guest speakers and learn about the importance of IUSA and campus leadership.

Mitjavila said in an email that the internship program is one way for students to get involved with IUSA.

“It’s a great opportunity for incoming freshmen to get involved in student government, get leadership experience and familiarize yourself with campus and the over 700 different student organizations on it,” he said.

5) Senior staff members hold office hours from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mondays in the IMU Student Activities Tower, suite 387. Students are invited to chat with their student government leaders to address issues or concerns they might have on campus.

You can find more information about how to get involved and interact with your student government representatives at their website, iusa.indiana.edu.

Follow IUSA reporter Holly Hays on Twitter @hv_hays