Class of 2004 officially inducted into IU

The faculty filed in wearing colorful caps and gowns, the administration evoked the wisdom of historical figures and the students sat with their parents, looking around at their new classmates.\nThis all took place Wednesday at this year's installment of the Freshman Induction Ceremony, making the Class of 2004 officially a part of IU.\nAfter the students, parents, faculty and platform party marched into Assembly Hall to the music of the IU Brass Ensemble, President Myles Brand introduced the people who will be instrumental in the students' lives during their college years.\n"This is the beginning of an adventure for you," Brand said. \nThe president brought some humor into his speech, saying, "You'll learn that a $40 psychology textbook is only worth $12 after 16 weeks -- whether you used it or not. So I suggest you get your money's worth and use it."\nBrand also reassured the families that their children were in good hands.\n"The entire University community stands behind you," he said. "We will all reach out to lend a hand."\nHe was followed by remarks from Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services Don Hossler, who reminded all the freshmen that no matter how they ended up at IU, there is a network here to include all students.\nHossler told the audience that 64 countries were represented in their class, as well as every state, the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories.\nSenior Meredith Suffron, president of the IU Student Association, gave the audience tips she has learned in her three years as a Hoosier.\n"My experience here has been outstanding," Suffron said. "I was slightly homesick, but that only lasted a few hours."\nAlthough on a campus with 36,000 students, she reminded the students, "you\'re not a number or a statistic."\nThe next speaker was Kenneth R.R. Gros Louis, IU Bloomington chancellor and vice president for academic affairs. He recently announced his retirement effective at the end of the 2000-2001 academic year, making this his last freshman class induction. \nGros Louis made a number of comparisons between when he was in college and now. Among those included the fact that when the new students' parents were in college, the United States was deep into the Vietnam War. But last year Gros Louis and the School of Education deans were able to travel to Hanoi.\nHe also promised the freshmen class, whose members range in age from 15 to 45, that by the time they leave IU they will care about issues and countries currently unbeknownst to them. \nAfter the singing of "Hail to Old IU" and a benediction, the freshmen were officially a part of IU's history. \n"This is definitely the time when you're given the opportunity to be your own person," Suffron said.