The Indiana University Student Government Congress committed $100,000 Tuesday from its Rainy-Day Fund to assist students with emergency financial need after the university announced the cancellation of face-to-face classes for the semester and the closure of most campus dormitories.

“We are committed to helping IU students through this unique, challenging time,” Andrew Ireland, a second-year law student and the Speaker of the IU Student Government Congress said. “This is a small step in giving students immediate assistance for accessing care, getting home safely, and ensuring their academic success.”

Indiana University’s President, Michael A. McRobbie, announced Sunday the university would shutter its doors, sending the Bloomington campus’s more than 40,000 students home to complete virtual coursework for the remainder of the semester.

The IUSG’s measure will help seed a new, COVID-19 specific emergency fund administered by the university’s Division of Student Affairs to directly give financial support to students in need. Ireland said he expects the university to share more details about the emergency fund in the coming days and encourages students to continue to share their concerns with IUSG by email at iusgcong@indiana.edu.  

“This is a small but important way we can help students through the COVID-19 crisis” said Rachel Aranyi, a sophomore and the group’s Education Committee Chair. “IU’s Student government is fighting to make sure no one is disadvantaged by the university’s response, that everyone can complete their courses on time and that they can continue to work toward their academic and career goals.”

“I want people to know we will get through this together. This is a hard time for all of us, but especially international students and disadvantaged students who may not have the chance to go home or sufficient access to technology to participate in online courses if they do,” Adam Ratzman, a freshman and the group’s Parliamentarian said. “Our work doesn’t stop here. This is just the first step.”

The Indiana University Student Government (“IUSG”) is the university-wide student government at Indiana University-Bloomington and is committed to protecting student rights, enriching student life, and improving Indiana University.

For more information, visit: iustudentgovernment.indiana.edu