Who fixed the Lifeline Law anyway?

Running for office takes ideas.

Ultimately, however, it is up to voters to decide what ideas they believe in and want to see implemented by voting for those with the best ones into office. Or so we’d like to think.

Recently the IU Student Association seemed to finally do something right.

Last week this publication reported that IUSA proposed amendments to the Indiana Lifeline Law on Jan. 22 that expand the language to apply to victims of sexual assault and other crimes, as well as situations involving underage drinking.

The Editorial Board genuinely welcomes this legislative push to afford more protection to students, especially those that might be victims of sexual assault while under the influence of alcohol.

Still, this new push also raises several questions.

During last year’s election, the other major executive ticket — Hoosiers 4 Solutions — had this very same proposed amendment to the Lifeline Law as one of its central promises in its campaign platform.

Meanwhile YOUniversity, the ticket in office now, dismissed efforts to lobby the legislature for this amendment, instead opting for action at the University level, with such pressing issues as bringing handles back to tailgates and the proposed “pub” in the Union — both of which have failed to materialize.

Long after the election, Sen. Jim Merritt independently proposed expanding the Lifeline Law to cover medical emergencies around October 2013. Missing, however, was any mention of coverage for victims of sexual assault.

During this time the original architect of the Hoosiers 4 Solutions platform contacted Merritt’s office to suggest the inclusion of the amendment in his proposed legislation, which the senator seemingly acted upon and had included by Jan. 12. 

IUSA contacted Merritt about the issue back in March despite deeming it a waste of the time during the election season. IUSA, however, did not officially introduce the amendments to the Lifeline Law until Jan. 22, after the amendment was already included in the proposed legislation.

Though we celebrate the additions to the Lifeline as a significant and overdue step in increasing student safety on our campus, the Editorial Board cannot overlook this last minute change of heart by IUSA at a time when it has accomplished so little and its time in office rapidly continues to dwindle.

As tuition payers, we must keep our student government accountable and demand results. We currently pay IUSA’s top executives $3,000 each in salaries.

Most importantly, if we’re paying student leaders such a substantial amount of Student Fee funds, we should expect ideas and proposals from those elected — not from the defeated ticket that offered to enact those same proposals at no cost to the student body.

­— opinion@idsnews.com
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