The Government of the Student Body is much more than a vehicle for the allocation of your student fees. The GSB is not just about money; we represent your views on dozens of issues. More than 100 pieces of legislation will be passed by the end of this year.

Earlier this year, a policy was presented to the GSB that would have a direct impact on all student organizations on campus. The student organization recognition policy was investigated by the GSB through a series of forums involving students, administrators and university legal counsel to ensure this policy was right for students. The latest draft of the policy can be found at www.sac.iastate.edu.

Iowa State has been consistently committed to diversity.

This year, the senate’s religious holiday policy committee has investigated how religious observances can be balanced with academics. If implemented, the policy will set guidelines for how students can participate in coursework and exams, even when they fall on religious holidays.

The library is currently interested in student support for a fee to improve services available to the student body. The GSB will be using this student feedback to determine whether to support the library’s proposed fee this week. The GSB is the student voice on this issue.

The Memorial Union is close to opening the doors on its new addition, but a part of that project remains incomplete. The electronic sign along Lincoln Way is still not operational, and the GSB is working on an agreement to fund part of that sign. It is our hope this new sign will inform you about the speakers, performances and student activities that happen every day around campus.

The ISU community is not mutually exclusive from that of the city of Ames. This fall, the GSB held a joint meeting with the city council to discuss a number of these issues. We are pleased to see nearly all of them have been acted on within the city government. This can be as simple as asking the city to paint a crosswalk in a high traffic area, to encouraging the city to look into litter cleanup in Campustown.

I work every day with students who care about you and about Iowa State, students who make personal sacrifices to ensure the student voice is heard.

Ask us about the issues; ask us if we can help investigate campus safety, problems with advising, recreational facilities or the Memorial Union, ask us what we can do about tuition, or fees, about tutoring or CyRide. Contact a senator by visiting us at www.gsb.iastate.edu.

Adam Krupicka

GSB graduate senator