Sole student rep to lead IUSA forum

The IU Student Association will host an open forum Thursday with the sole student representative on the IU Presidential Search Committee.\nThe open forum will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Ballantine Hall, room 304. \nMike Renfrow, a graduate student and IU-South Bend student body president, will be in Bloomington to hear student opinions about the IU presidential search, IUSA Vice President Andrew Lauck said.\nAt the forum, students will be able to share their thoughts on what they would like to see in the next president with Renfrow, IUSA President Betsy Henke said.\n"The complete focus will be on students," Henke said. "Our representative is coming to hear our thoughts and concerns."\nLauck said it was clear IU trustee and Presidential Search Committee Chairwoman Sue Talbot were not focused on student concerns at the previous presidential search forums. As a result, Renfrow was appointed to represent the student voice.\nAt least 40 members of IUSA will attend the forum to express their thoughts and concerns about the presidential search process, Lauck said. Among representatives from other student groups and interested members of the general student population, Lauck said he expects 60 to 80 students to attend the forum. Leaders from a variety of campus student groups -- including the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Association, Residence Halls \nAssociation, Union Board and Board of Aeons -- have been invited to attend the forum, which is also open to the public, Lauck said.\nSeveral student groups have scheduled individual meetings Friday with Renfrow. Greek leaders will use the time to ask Renfrow to consider presidential candidates who will be supportive and understanding of greek life, IFC President Justin Sloan said.\n"Personally, I would look for traits similar to Herman B Wells," Sloan said. \nWells, the former IU president who guided the University through a period of growth, promoted greek life by allowing space for greek expansion and housing, Sloan said.\nThough Henke said she would like the Bloomington campus to have its own representative on the Presidential Search Committee, IUSA hopes to show Renfrow that the Bloomington campus deserves to have its input about the presidential search be heard.\nThe campus experience in Bloomington is unique compared to other IU campuses, Henke said. IUSA hopes the open forum and Renfrow's meetings with campus student groups will immerse him in the culture of a traditional campus.\n"Our overall goal is to connect him with the way students experience life at IU-Bloomington," Lauck said.