The IUOSA is the representative body for all optometry students at IU. Its representatives work closely with the IU School of Optometry faculty and staff as well as with liaisons from the American Optometric Association (AOA), American Optometric Student Association (AOSA), and the Indiana Optometric Association (IOA). In addition to representing student issues to the dean and faculty, IUOSA organizes student activities and events throughout the year.
The IUOSA representatives include the elected president, president-elect, vice president, vice president-elect, secretary, treasurer, and two student representatives from each Optometry class. Additionally, both the AOSA trustee and the trustee-elect are involved in IUOSA decision making. Membership is open to all students enrolled in the School of Optometry. By paying one set of dues to IUOSA, you become a member of IUOSA and the AOSA, AOA, and IOA organizations. Every student is welcome and encouraged to participate in IUOSA and its many projects. Weekly meetings in the student lounge on the third floor of the optometry building are open to all members. If you have questions about IUOSA, please contact the representatives below. (Voting for the 1st-year OD representatives takes place during the second week of school.)
Tailgate IU Football
Take an afternoon study break and find out what being part of a Big Ten university is about! Each class will organize its own tailgate and try to outdo the other classes. Creative tailgating ideas and your presence at the tailgate is a must! Wear your cream and crimson and we'll see you there. Go IU! Just look for the IU School of Optometry banner. Homecoming tailgate is usually at 17th and Woodlawn.
Bonfire/Barn Dance
Celebrate this fall tradition and get back to Indiana's roots! The Bonfire/Barn Dance begins with a ride to a secret location filled with line dancing, country western costume competitions between classes, roasting s’mores at the bonfire, and enjoying the natural richness of southern Indiana. Tell stories, learn to line dance, enjoy the live band, star gaze, roast marshmallows, and enjoy spirits with friends as you keep warm by the fire. This is one weekend to stay in town and invite friends to come visit IU for one of the biggest events of the fall. See y’all there!!
IOA Student Seminar
IUOSA offers a very beneficial meeting and roundtable discussion with Indiana optometrists. This is a unique opportunity for students to gain insight into the profession and to network with Indiana optometrists. The doctors will go table to table to meet and talk with students, sharing important information and reminiscing about their time at IU. Even if you are not planning on practicing in Indiana, you will find this seminar a great investment of your time. You need to sign up for this event in advance so make sure to listen for announcements from your IUOSA class representative.
Equipment Show
IUOSA--in conjunction with major optometric equipment companies, suppliers, and our hardworking equipment representatives--brings you our fall equipment show. Students get a chance to sample, play with, and learn about optometry's most sophisticated diagnostic equipment. Students should plan on spending a good amount of time at the equipment show as each piece of equipment has different benefits and drawbacks. Make sure to do your research and most of all talk to people who own different types of equipment to hear the positives and negatives. The time you spend at the equipment show will determine which products you end up buying, so make sure to save enough time for one of IUOSA's most important events.
Homecoming
Support IU sports and help show the school of optometry's involvement in campus life. The optometry school has a float every year, and we could use your creative talent! The day after the parade is the actual game. Be sure to come out and support the team and meet all the optometry alumni who come back for this special weekend. Talk to your class reps to find out more.
Aaron Wernimont Memorial 5K Run/Walk
Lace up your running shoes and come out for the Aaron Wernimont Memorial 5k Run/Walk in October. Aaron was a top student in the class of 2014 and passed away suddenly during his second year of optometry school at IUSO. Aaron was a genuine, fun-loving person who lived every day to the fullest. He was training for a marathon when he passed, so this memorial run/walk keeps the spirit of Aaron alive. The money raised from the event goes toward an optometry school scholarship in Aaron’s name and will be awarded to a student who exemplifies the spirit of Aaron both in and outside of the classroom.
AOA Congressional Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C.
Every year, a group of IUSO students travel to our nation’s capital to lobby for optometry alongside other students and doctors from around the country. This conference includes a day of education about how lobbying works and the issues optometry faces every year. The next day, students hit capital hill and lobby their congressmen and women about the top issues affecting optometry. Come support the future of your profession, make great professional connections, and make a difference as a student of optometry.
Optic Cup Golf Tournament
This time-honored tradition beginning with a shotgun start attracts teams from IUSO and IUSO Alum. The competition to have your team members’ names carved on the huge trophy and bragging rights for the next year is fierce. No prior golf experience needed for this fun afternoon at the golf course!
Eye Ball
At about mid-semester, look around class and you will notice the guys are unshaven and wearing ball caps, and the girls have stopped wearing make-up and have their hair tied back. You will agree that we need a night out! Put on your best formal wear and join IUOSA at our biggest social event of the year, the Eye Ball! Presentation of awards for AI- and professor-of-the-year, a comedy show by the third-year class, dinner, and dancing with a live DJ are part of the evening.
Optometry Olympics
In this X-tremely popular IUOSA event 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-year classes go head to head to decide who rules the school! Participants may find themselves sprinting for the finish line in the sprint relay, 2-mile relay, or the 3-legged race; dig one out in the volleyball tournament; hit one out in the homerun derby, and lay out for a great game-winning catch in the Ultimate Frisbee tournament. Jell-O slurpers and egg tossers are welcome, too! Whether you are an athlete or just enjoy sports, make sure to come out and cheer on your classmates.
Cosmic Eye Bowl
Get your bowling team together, find your costumes, and come out for a night of cosmic bowling! Prizes awarded for best dressed team costumes, highest scoring and “most honorable” players, and door prizes are raffled off throughout this fun night out.
AOA and AOSA Optometry’s Meeting
Come to the largest meeting of the year for optometrists and optometry students from around the country! There are plenty of educational classes, social events, and the exhibition hall for you to learn about the many areas that service our future profession. The Varilux Optometry Student Bowl is the most competitive event between all of the optometry schools. Each school puts on a Quiz Bowl to find their school’s representative to compete amongst the best-of-the-best students at the bowl. At the Varilux Optometry Student Bowl, each representative must buzz-in and answer optometry related questions. At the 2012 Optometry’s Meeting in Chicago, IUSO’s representative, Karen Lee (Class of 2013) won the title and brought home the coveted trophy!!! Look for information from the Trustee and Trustee-Elect for the annual meeting in the summer. The 2013 meeting will be held in San Diego, California.