IUSA supports more clocks

The IUSA Congress was in session last night for its second bi-monthly meeting of October. A heavily discussed item on its menu was a proposal to provide more clocks around IU's campus.\n"We think its a good thing to do for students," said Treasurer and senior, Steven Bierly.\nPresident Meredith Suffron, a senior, and Bierly are among the sponsors that put together the proposal that contains three different options for both the number and placement of the new clocks.\nBierly said the clocks they are looking at will fit in around campus and will not detract from its beauty.\n"We want IUSA in full support of the bill," Bierly said.\nAnd full support is what Congress members gave the bill, passing it 42-0-1. \n"I really like the idea," said junior Jeramy Foltz, a Collins senator.\nThe passed proposal will now go to administrators for their input on funding and other factors, said Vice President for Congress, Aaron Johnson. \nBierly said the proposal calls for the funding of the clocks to come with the help of donations from various organizations including Greek houses, student groups and donations from Alumni. \nBierly, the co-sponsor of the proposal, said he hopes to get the clocks in place by next summer, but said the group must first meet with administrators to get a final approval. Suffron said the proposal was sent to 15 administrators Sept. 25. She said IUSA is still waiting for replies.\n"We hope that with the clocks, people can stay outside and enjoy the beautiful campus without worrying about where a clock is or having a watch," said Suffron.\nBierly added, "we hope to get the whole University on the right time."\n Among the other plans brought up at the meeting was IUSA's effort to get more pencil sharpeners on campus. Beginning Monday, IUSA will be holding a pencil sharpener drive, Johnson said. He said IUSA representatives will be giving out pencils to students in the Arboretum, across from the business school. Each pencil will contain the message: "Will you sharpen me." Johnson said he hopes to increase students' awareness of the lack of pencil sharpeners on campus with the drive.\nIn addition, several proposals were put before Congress last night regarding the allocation of the Grass Roots Initiative Fund, which gives money to various student organizations on campus.\nFoltz, a member of the Finance Committee laid out the rules of the allocation of GRIF money. He said no more then 75 percent of a single event of an organization can be funded by GRIF and no organization can receive more then 15 percent of GRIF's total budget, meaning no group can get more than $1,500 from GRIF annually.\nCampus Crusade for Christ was one group asking for money from GRIF. The organization is putting together an event for later this semester, in which they will have Stacey Kole, a motivational speaker and former Miss America candidate, come to speak. Kole is scheduled to discuss a variety of issues dealing with spirituality and women's issues.\nIUSA passed the proposal, allocating $945 to the organization.\nThe group also passed a proposal which gave about $684 to the Muslim Student Union, to help them fund Islam Awareness Week 2000.