Indiana University. Student Government Committee

Beginning in 1939, the Student Government Committee was a precursor to the existing form of student government.

From the description of Indiana University Student Government Committee records, 1940-1941. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 697293081

Student government at Indiana University began in 1912 at the suggestion of a faculty member who wanted to create a student group to police IU athletic events. That year the university's first Student Council was appointed and together they began drafting a constitution. The advent of World War I, however, caused student disinterest in institutionalized student government for many years to follow. Despite this, there had been many other forms of student government established before the Student Council. The Women's League, established in 1895, became the Women's Self-Government Association in 1920. The Indiana Union for Men was created in 1909 and another early form of student government, the Board of Aeons, was established on March 29, 1921 by President Bryan with membership limited to junior and senior men.

Student government similar to what we have on campus today began in November 1939, when the Indiana Daily Student issued a call for a more powerful, representative governing body. Committees were appointed from various campus organizations, and in May 1941 the Student Government Committee submitted a formal constitution to the students in a Town Hall meeting. Shortly thereafter, the faculty and Board of Trustees approved this constitution with a few minor changes. Before these plans could become reality, news of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the outbreak of the Second World War halted all activities except for those associated with the war effort. However, three years later, in January 1944, a constitution was approved forming the first Student Council, which was soon-after reorganized into the Student Senate, and then in 1974 into the Indiana University Student Association.

From the guide to the Indiana University Student Government Committee records, 1940-1941, (Indiana University Office of University Archives and Records Management http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives)