Indiana University South Bend students, faculty, alumni and community members are invited to “Get on the Bus” for a lobbying trip to Indianapolis and the State Legislature. The bus trip will be Tuesday, Feb. 8.

Locally, the goal is to get approval for $27.8 million in state funding to renovate the Associates Building on IU South Bend campus into a modern classroom facility. All the IU campuses will be sending students and others for the day of lobbying.

The much-needed building at IU South Bend will house the School of Education, the Fine Arts programs, and Dental programs. The 125,000 gross square-foot facility will be called the Education and Arts Building and will be used by 2,000 students daily.

The state legislature currently is considering the 2005-07 budget. Indiana University has submitted an appropriations request that includes seven projects, including the IU South Bend Education and Arts Building. It is the only request for a single regional IU campus.

"Get on the Bus" is the major student-based lobbying effort for Indiana University. IU South Bend wants to make an impact on legislators by having a large contingent of students converge on the statehouse. Students, faculty, administrators, alumni and friends of IU South Bend are invited to ride the bus to Indianapolis to take part in this event.

The bus will leave at 9:30 a.m. from Mishawaka Avenue and the Administration Building circle. A box lunch will be provided by the university. The schedule includes a legislative briefing by IU representatives, visits to home legislators at the Statehouse, and a reception at the Indiana Convention Center where IU President Adam Herbert will speak.

The bus will return after 9 p.m.

Interested community members can register for "Get on the Bus" in the Alumni Affairs Office in the Administration Building or by calling the office at (574) 520-4381. “Get on the Bus” is co-sponsored by the IU South Bend Alumni Association and the Student Government Association. Deadline for reservations is Feb. 4.

For additional information contact Joann Phillips at (574) 520-4383.