Future ISG officers to strengthen relations with student body
The 2010/2011 Indianapolis Student Government officers are already gearing up for a brand new school year, complete with new issues and new goals, and a primary one for many members is strengthening communication between the student government and the student body.
Inducted into their new positions on Tuesday, April 12, junior Caitlin Deranek is replacing senior Josh Elijah as ISG president, sophomore Hillary Engelman is the new vice-president, treasurer went to sophomore Jared Bradley and sophomore Sandy Rivers will be secretary.
Understanding the responsibilities that go along with the position, former vice-president Deranek contemplated whether or not she should run, but decided it was the best decision for her and now she’s excited for her new role in student government, already planning activities and what issues to advocate.
“ISG’s function is always to take the needs of the students to the professors and the faculty members who can make it happen,” Deranek said. “In the process of that there are always things that pop up—new and different issues that have become important over the past six months that we try and take care of as much as possible.”
Many faculty members, in turn, do their best to listen to the issues ISG presents them with.
“Most of the faculty is more than willing to help in anyway,” Engelman said. “Ted Polk, for instance, is more than willing to do everything anything he can to listen to our issues.”
According to Elijah, issues this year included installing bike racks on campus, creating a green initiative, suggestions for PFS (including providing tuna as an alternative to meat during Lent) and providing an additional counseling option for students with general emotional distress in health services.
“We get most of our ideas from hearing random complaints on campus,” Elijah said. “But if any student would like to bring up an issue they should definitely let a representative know. It would be great if more students got their opinions to ISG.”
The newly-inducted officers are ready to tackle new issues as well, especially re-connecting with the student body.
“It is my personal opinion that ISG has fallen behind a veil,” Deranek said. “I don’t know if the student body really understands what our function is and what we are here for, and so it is my personal goal to get our name out there.’”
ISG also plans on tackling smoking on campus, library renovations (including a modern languages lab to help students) and a re-evaluation of the core requirements in general education to ensure that students are receiving a modern, up-to-date education. They don’t plan on forgetting their annual events either, including the Winter Formal, Super Saturday of Service and other service projects.
Deranek hopes to increase membership to fill all 27 positions.
“I personally believe that ISG is a very strong group and that we do a lot for our campus,” Deranek said. “I feel there has been a communication breakdown [between ISG and students] so I hope to improve that.”
Students who want to find out about ISG’s plans, as well as discuss current and potential problems on campus, may attend ISG meetings on Tuesdays at 3 p.m. in Esch Hall, 261.
